Justin Okoronkwo, a former Alabama linebacker, left the Crimson Tide after the 2024 season and transferred to a Southeastern Conference rival, South Carolina, which will appear on Alabama’s 2025 schedule. Okoronkwo shared the reasons for his decision in a recent interview.
He played only one season in Tuscaloosa after joining the program as part of the latest recruiting class. As a high school prospect, he was regarded as the top recruit from Europe.
Originally from Germany, Okoronkwo’s football journey is still in its early stages. He grew up participating in gymnastics and soccer before focusing on football in recent years, which quickly attracted the attention of U.S. colleges. He ultimately chose Alabama to play under Nick Saban. However, Saban left just weeks after his arrival, and Okoronkwo chose to stick with the program for his freshman year.
During his time at Alabama, Okoronkwo appeared in 12 games as a backup and special teams player, recording 13 tackles. After his first year, he decided to transfer in search of more playing time. He spoke with The State Newspaper about his decision.
“I felt like the starting spots were already set, and it’s hard to compete — especially at a place like Bama — with guys who have more experience than you.”
Veteran linebackers Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson have confirmed they’ll return for another season, and Alabama also added Colorado transfer Nikhai Hill-Green. Okoronkwo is expected to have more playing time at South Carolina, which needs to replace two starting linebackers in the 2025 season. However, his comment seemed to suggest that he was avoiding competition rather than challenging himself to earn a role.
The transfer portal has provided college football players with more freedom to seek opportunities when unhappy with their situation. While this can be beneficial in many cases, it also reflects a shift away from developing on the sidelines and working toward a starting role.
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