Story: DE Anto Saka never wavered on his NU commitment

Hungry Jack

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2008
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Lou,

Do you get a sense that a scheme change on defense is coming, such as a 3-3-5 or 4-2-5? I doubt recruits would say this specifically about coming here, but Saka seems exactly like the type of edge guy who would be deployed as a WLB in a 3-3-5 or edge rusher in a 3-4 scheme. Soares is of a similar mold.

With more programs shifting to this scheme, and JON's hire, I cannot imagine we will continue to run a 4-3 once our personnel have been updated.
 

FloridAlum

Senior
May 29, 2001
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Louie, Probably my favorite interview from you in a while. I especially like the part where he was talking about people questioning his commitment all along, great
 

Hungry Jack

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Louie, Probably my favorite interview from you in a while. I especially like the part where he was talking about people questioning his commitment all along, great
The Saka quote “I want my degree to mean something” is pure gold.
 

lou v

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Aug 27, 2004
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Looking forward to seeing him Saka bunch of QBs.
Punny that you mentioned that. I talked to Anto about his name a little bit. Usually, Nigerian names mean something, but in his case Anto is just a shortened version of Anthony, and he doesn't know if Saka means anything in Nigerian. I said that, regardless, he has the perfect name for a DE. He replied, "Yeah, yeah, I know. I've been hearing that my whole life."
 

Katatonic

Sophomore
Oct 23, 2004
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Wish there were more highly rated recruits who are as focused on academics and appreciate the campus/proximity to Chicago.

But this is why the staff needs to go after more recruits who are children/grandchildren of Nigerian/African immigrants, as the parents at least tend to value education pretty highly.
 

CSCatFan1

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Dec 4, 2002
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Wish there were more highly rated recruits who are as focused on academics and appreciate the campus/proximity to Chicago.

But this is why the staff needs to go after more recruits who are children/grandchildren of Nigerian/African immigrants, as the parents at least tend to value education pretty highly.

Good advice. Someone needs to pass that on to Coach Ayeni.
 

EvanstonCat

Senior
May 29, 2001
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I can name the only one whose family was from Ghana

David Nwabuisi
Lou Ayeni
Ikechuku Ndukwe
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Godwin Igwebuike
David Ngene

One of them is probably from Ghana and I think I’m forgetting someone else. My mind is blank but I’m vaguely recalling a RB turned CB who played for the Browns.

In retrospect, the Nigerians have been good players for us. Four made it to the league and Nwabuisi made it as far as Fitz and Paddy Fisher. Maybe he’s the Ghana player. If we aren’t already specifically targeting them, we should, and in any case we should recruit a lot more of them. They have a strong work athletic not just on the field but in the classroom with parents that instill an deep appreciation for academics. Having Lou on the staff ought to give us an added advantage.
 
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FloridAlum

Senior
May 29, 2001
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David Nwabuisi
Lou Ayeni
Ikechuku Ndukwe
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Godwin Igwebuike
David Ngene

One of them is probably from Ghana and I think I’m forgetting someone else. My mind is blank but I’m vaguely recalling a RB turned CB who played for the Browns.

In retrospect, the Nigerians have been good players for us. Four made it to the league and Nwabuisi made it as far as Fitz and Paddy Fisher. Maybe he’s the Ghana player. If we aren’t already specifically targeting them, we should, and in any case we should recruit a lot more of them. They have a strong work athletic not just on the field but in the classroom with parents that instill an deep appreciation for academics. Having Lou on the staff ought to give us an added advantage.
You did so well getting the players of Nigerian descent that I’m surprised you did not get the other answer.Although he was born and raised in Indiana, Prince Kwateng’s parents are from Ghana, And he still has a lot of family there. I remember the first time I was in the West Lot and the Kwateng Family showed up in this black car that looked like the size of an aircraft carrier and had flags from Ghana on the front like you would expect from the ambassador or something.
 

lou v

All-Conference
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Aug 27, 2004
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David Nwabuisi
Lou Ayeni
Ikechuku Ndukwe
Ifeadi Odenigbo
Godwin Igwebuike
David Ngene

One of them is probably from Ghana and I think I’m forgetting someone else. My mind is blank but I’m vaguely recalling a RB turned CB who played for the Browns.

In retrospect, the Nigerians have been good players for us. Four made it to the league and Nwabuisi made it as far as Fitz and Paddy Fisher. Maybe he’s the Ghana player. If we aren’t already specifically targeting them, we should, and in any case we should recruit a lot more of them. They have a strong work athletic not just on the field but in the classroom with parents that instill an deep appreciation for academics. Having Lou on the staff ought to give us an added advantage.
Here are a few more:

Chi Chi Ariguzo
Omar Conteh (maybe?)
David Oredugba
Adetomiwa Adebawore
 

CSCatFan1

Senior
Dec 4, 2002
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Here are a few more:

Chi Chi Ariguzo
Omar Conteh (maybe?)
David Oredugba
Adetomiwa Adebawore

Great job guysZ. I thought Tomi A. would have been the first one mentioned. He was the first to introduce our signees. I view him as a leader on next years squad, most likely a captain. Really need to see him step up. Let’s get his brother in Purple as well!
 

Gocatsgo2003

All-Conference
Mar 30, 2006
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Here are a few more:

Chi Chi Ariguzo
Omar Conteh (maybe?)
David Oredugba
Adetomiwa Adebawore

Great job guysZ. I thought Tomi A. would have been the first one mentioned. He was the first to introduce our signees. I view him as a leader on next years squad, most likely a captain. Really need to see him step up. Let’s get his brother in Purple as well!

Venric as well… from his NU bio:

“ Venric Emeka-Wococha Mark”