2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Ikenna Ahumibe, DL, Missouri State University
- Name: Ikenna Ahumibe
- Position: DL
- College: Missouri State University
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 290 lbs
- Twitter: @ikenna_ahumibe
- Instagram: @kiing.kennyy
What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?
I’ve always wanted to be a football player since I was a little kid, and I wasn’t allowed to play it because of my parents fear of my safety, until I got to high school, specifically playing my first year being sophomore year.
What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?
I just want to keep striving to become the best player I can be and make it towards my goals of being a professional athlete. I really want to keep being myself also, never forgetting all the hard work it took me to get to this point, from all the hard days from JUCO to now, just blessed to be in the position I’m in right now.
If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?
The player I’d want to hang out with would be Christian Okoye as he was the first Nigerian to play in the NFL and would just want to talk about the hard work and than k him for being one of the gateway players to open the game for more Nigerians to play the game.
What are your favorite moments from your football life?
My favorite moment would probably be giving Missouri State a Conference championship during the spring season in 2021, being able to bring success to the school and change the culture with winning always brought a smile to my face.
Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?
My dad to me has been my biggest inspiration, really learning about what he and my mom had to go through to get to the states from Nigeria, basically leaving everything they know and really chasing the American dream and succeeding, escaping from the aftermath of the war in Nigeria as well. They both raised four kids and made it people for us to chase our dreams. It hurts that he wasn’t able to see me get this far since he passed away in 2019, he’d been sick for six years and we’ve been taking care of him ever since. I know he’s watching me from above and I hope he keeps watching over me.
What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?
4-3 to me is such a essential scheme for any defense to have and the way that we played it at Missouri State made it to easy to grasp the concepts and that in return made everyone just play faster and more free, everyone was connected and on the same track of mind and we all made plays because of it and had fun.
What should we know about Ikenna Ahumibe the person?
Ikenna Ahumibe is just a kid from California who wants to do right by his family, he works hard and enjoys life and always has the glass half full. I keep God and my family close to me and always grateful for every opportunity that I’m given, just wanted to be not just a better player, but better person everyday and find a way to make the world a better place.
What stands out about your film the most?
Just being a presence in the run game, doing all the dirty work for the team and making sure I can do my job so others can thrive, while also giving all out effort as well.
How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?
I tend to have God and my family as the biggest supports in my life and maintaining a relationship with God which helps me get through my struggles. Anything worth it in this life you’re going to have to struggle and fight for and I apply that everyday.
What would a team get in a player like you?
They would get a dominant force in the run game and very intelligent player as well, and a player who will do their job to the fullest as well. They’re going to get someone who will always work hard and never turn down a task at all.
What do you love the most about the game of football?
The thing I love most about football is the brotherhood, the bonds that you forge from the first day of camp and all the life lessons that you learn from it as well. Football has given me bonds that will last the test of times and I won’t ever take that for granted, it’s the little things that make it all worthwhile.
Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?
The most underrated player that I’ve played with is my old teammate from Cerritos college Victor Clanton. Vic was one of our linebackers and he was one of the most skilled ones that I played with; sideline to sideline and fearless as hell, I’d go into any game with him on my side.
Writer/Scout/Interviewer for Draft Diamonds since January 2020. You can find me on X at @jrberendzen and Instagram at justinberendzen