For 3 seasons now we watched one of the best group of linemen in Oregon history move through Central Catholic High over on Pine Street in SE Portland.  They were all big and fast and played the game with heart and near perfection.  We covered them all and with guys like Blake Brandel (OSU)), Riley Gallant (UC Davis), TJ Salu ( Navy) and James Cory (SOU) just to name a few.

Tobe Okafor is a terrific linemen and at 6’4.5″ and 260 lbs this Junior is landing major attention including his first offer from NAVY! Some on his team last season called him “The Future”

But in the background of all of those guys has been another guy- one who anyone with a trained eye will end up watching – and say the magic words “Who’s that?”.

Those words mean big things when I say them usually and that applies to other analysts and college coaches.  And in the case of Tobe Okafor nothing perhaps could be more appropriate then those words over these past few years.  There he was, albeit lien, at 6’4″ plus taking up the battles along the Defensive Line and winning –  and every year we got to see him at Offensive Tackle too.

Okafor is all muscle and we got to know the young man with the big smile pretty well.  Last year as a Junior he rose to the occasion and stifled the Tigard Tigers running game.  His name grew and it was clear to see he was on his way.  At a Nationally ranked school like Central Catholic it can be hard to stand out no matter how good you are and he took the underclassmen’s role in 2013 and 2014 and just did the work; so much so that he now can wear two massive OSAA 6A Title rings at one time.

Tobe came into his own last week landing a full ride offer out of nowhere from the Navy!  The Naval Academy is big time- they have a great football program there and the degree program and life after school something to strive for.

This offer in our view outs Okafor on the proverbial map as a big time recruit.  He has the speed, the arm length, the skill, and the body to go on to college and do some great things.  He is now 260 lbs and he can easily be a 285 lb collegiate linemen.

He is smart and hardworking and we think this is the first of many offers.

“It came out of the blue really,” said Tobe.  “TJ Salu who is my teammate let Navy know about me and they watched my film.  Coach looked at my information and called to let me know he wanted me to come to NAVY and play ball on scholarship.  It was pretty awesome!”

TJ Salu is not only a great football player but a young man who understands that he can now help others and he played next to Okafor on that D-Line the past few years.  He was no just shining on Ken Niumatalolo – Okafor can deliver for the Mid-Shipmen.

“I don’t know that much about NAVY yet but you better believe I am finding out.  There are no concerns I have as far as the Military aspect- it is just a great start and they will be contender high on my list,” offered Tobe as we spoke about the details of the offer. “It is exciting and a first offer form them is a huge honor.”

Coaches put Tobe Okafor down as a “Must Visit” athlete in Portland, Oregon as you make the rounds this off season.

We caught Tobe at the Championship game and spoke to him about the win and his time in the Sun so far and what his future looks like.

Here is Tobe Okafor’s Junior HUDL Film

Tobe Okafor Changes Reality

Dirk Knudsen

I am the Founder of the Northwest Prep Report. For 17 years I have led the way to the best of my ability to promote the best talent from the Pacific NW free of charge. It is my pleasure to continue to serve High School athletes from all over the Pacific NW and beyond. Formerly with Rivals.com my sites have now crossed over 8,000 stories, 7 MILLION Video Views, and 15,000 regular followers. Together with the best football people in the USA we pursue excellence for our NW athletes.