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Alief Hastings' Smith Orogbo
TARDY TO THE PARTY: Hastings' Orogbo a future star in the making
The 6-foot-4 outside linebacker looks like a natural in pads and is just learning the game. His future and upside are so bright that colleges across the country were vying for his commitment over the off-season.
“When talking about legacy, I want to be that guy,” he said. “I hope to set an all-time record in sacks or tackles for losses, which is abig thing to aspire to. Overall, I just want to leave it all out there during my last year, with no questions left to be asked.”
New coach Michael Carter’s eyes light up with he talks of his stud senior.
“Yeah, a few years from now, this guy is going to be playing on Sundays,” he said. “He just has ‘it’.”
The first-team, all-district selection in 2023 has expanded his game entering his senior year.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“It’s a little hard to believe, but I’m just going into my fourth year of playing football, in general,” he said. “When I was going into high school, I wanted to play basketball. I saw my brother play football so I figured I might as well give it a shot. After I got my first hit in practice, I knew that this was the sport for me.
“I’ve enjoyed the opportunities that I’ve been given here, and now it’s my time to lead through my vocals and through my actions. I’m going to try to help pick my team up on the defensive side of the ball all season.”
Orogbo likes to model his game after professional players such as Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers), Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys)and Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders).
While he has NFL aspirations, first things first.
“Once I first get there (Texas), I’m going to be a sponge,” said Orogbo. “I’ll be trying to soak up all the information I can and keep up my work ethic as I look up to the guys in front of me. I’ll have to be patient for when my time comes. Until then, all I can do is continue to work on my craft and get better as a player.”
The way that the soon-to-be Longhorn composes himself on the field speaks for itself. So, what does he do when he’s not in pads?
“When I’m not hanging with the guys, you’ll probably see me watching some movies and shows,” Orogbo said. “I’m a big fan of The Boys, the Planet of the Apes trilogy and The Walking Dead. I really like Spider-Man,too. Something else people might know about me is that I like to listen to music by Nirvana.”
The stars of 2024-25 Alief Hastings FootballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
But, back to football.
Hastings will be moving over to District 20-6A this Fall, which brings new competition in the district– namely Fulshear, Foster, George Ranch and Strake Jesuit.
With Orogbo being the first one off the bus for Hastings, the Bears will be in the conversation for a district title and surely a playoff spot.
Are the Bears back in business?
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Alief Hastings' Ike Okafor
LASER-FOCUSED: Three-star Okafor has a one-track mind in 2024
As the 6-foot-3, three-star edge-rusher laces up his cleats for one final campaign, it’s given him the opportunity to reflect on his journey.
“I’ve been playing since I was 12,” he said. “At first, I didn’t even like the sport because I didn’t know what to do. But then, my coach at the time pulled me to the side and told me, ‘you can really go somewhere far with this one’.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
“Since then, the coaches have put me through hell to get me where I am today, but the results show why. They’ve been great motivators throughout my journey. There’s no other way to put it.”
By the same logic, his decision to continue his playing career at the University of California followed a parallel reasoning.
“Right back to the coaching,” said Okafor. “Coach (Andrew) Browning (defensive line coach at Cal), that’s my dog. I really love the coaching staff and the culture they have over there.They truly care about their players. I’ll have to get used to their beaches though since the water’s cold, but I think I’ll fit right into that program.”
The Hastings senior chose to become a Golden Bear over numerous other DI programs who sent an offer his way, such as Pittsburgh, Tulsa, Houston, Texas Tech and UNT.
Some of the stars of 2024-25 Alief Hastings FootballBradley C. Collier (VYPE)
While his physical stature and capabilities as a defender make it easy for him to stand out on the turf, the way Okafor chooses to spend his time off of it has become increasingly more mainstream.
“I actually love watching anime,” he said. “Demon Slayer has been my go-to mostly. That new season they just released was great, but I’m really looking forward to the final trilogy they’re working on."
As he makes his final appearance donning the black-and-gold this Fall, the Bears’ star defensive lineman will have one goal in mind.
“I want to make it to the playoffs, man,” Okafor said. “I want to be a dog on the field before moving on to Cal. I’m going to be graduating early and leaving in January, so I’ve got to make the most of the time I have left here.”
Sounds like a pretty straightforward objective.
Given his track record, Okafor is unlikely to leave any questions unanswered as he and the Bears seek to fulfill it