|
|
|
|
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Vince Oghobaase
Houston, TX
|
|
|
Four years ago, Houston’s own Vincent Oghobaase took the path less travelled. The Alief Hastings defensive tackle had been offered by virtually every major BCS Division I program in the country. He took his official visits and made his decision just before the National Signing Day.
The 6-foot-6, 300-pound, one-man wrecking crew signed with the Duke Blue Devils over the likes of traditional football powers. Make no mistake, Oghobaase was a football player, not a hoopster.
But he does things his way, from his college selection to the number on his jersey. Imagine a mountain of a man running down quarterbacks Saturday afternoons wearing the No. 3. It just doesn’t fit.
Oghobaase enters his red-shirt junior season on several NFL first-round boards, and well he should. He has started 24 consecutive games for Duke and possesses tremendous size, speed, smarts and agility.
“Some may think coming to Duke was a little strange,” he laughs. “I went on my four official visits and no place felt like home like Duke did. I went with my heart and it has been a great decision for me.”
After graduating from Hastings, Oghobaase left for Duke with large expectations. He had a setback as a true freshman when he suffered a season-ending injury. He would come back the following season and start every game en route to several Freshman All-American honors. He followed up with a solid sophomore season which has propelled him into a potential first-round NFL draft pick and on several preseason All-American teams.
“It’s great to be honored and receive the recognition,” he said. “But I’m not caught up in it. I’m just totally focused on playing at Duke and playing some good football. All in all, things are going really good for me right now.”
While he is in the early stages of his football career, Oghobaase recalls some of his best times were at Hastings High School.
“I’ll never forget beating Katy during my junior year,” he said. “They were such a powerhouse. That was a great memory. All the life-long friends I made there are great also. I still keep in touch with everyone and we talk about those high school football memories.”
The wise-beyond-his-years defensive tackle also gives some helpful advice to future college football hopefuls about the rigors of Division I football.
“You have to be on your game all the time,” he said. “You could always slack off in high school and have your position. Not in college. If you don’t have it together, you can lose your position in one practice or one game. It’s a business, so get ready.”•
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
 ™
|
|
A collection of this month's best action photos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
What movie, book or public figure do you draw inspiration from and how do you implement them in your coaching?...
More 
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
The Lone Ranger
by: Matt Malatesta
Spring Branch Northbrook High School is no football hot bed. It’s not one of these super schools in the suburbs...
More
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 9 or newer.
|
|
|
|
™
™