Ebenezer Ogundeko Commits to Clemson

DE Ebenezer Ogundeko "Ebo" (6’4" 238lbs, 4.91 40), from Brooklyn NY, committed to Clemson today at the Under-Armour AA game, choosing us over hometown Syracuse. He had offers from Ariz. State, Florida, Ole Miss, Alabama, and Notre Dame, among numerous others. He had already taken officials to ASU, Florida, Clemson and the ‘Cuse. He was originally committed early in the process to UConn, but backed off that one in March. He is the #1 player in New York.

Not that we pay attention to ratings of the services here, but he is rated 4-stars by ESPN (#10 DE) and Rivals (#20 OLB), along with 3-star ratings from Scout (#36 OLB) and 24/7Sports (#21 SDE). Those services rate him as a DE or OLB, but he’s a DE at Clemson in the current scheme we run, probably starting out on the weakside. In a 3-4 system he could be used at the JACK LB position. His commitment takes the place of fellow Under Armour AA WDE Elijah Daniels, who decommitted awhile back, which the staff suspected would occur based on communications with him. Clemson had already gone on Ebo knowing that Daniels was flaky, only offering him in October, and as some insurance with the loss of SDE Robert Nkemdiche.

Ebo has great measurables and speed/quickness, and uses it to make up for a severe lack of technique. His footwork is not quite up to snuff as is his hand usage, but this is not uncommon for any HS big man. Pad level seems just OK. If you come up too high it presents too much target for the OT to hit, and tall guys always have this problem in HS. He mostly just dips his shoulder and speed rushes off the edge in his highlight film, and he shows a willingness to pursue from sideline to sideline along with a good motor. First step is great obviously, but if the OT successfully engages then he doesn’t have much to counter with; he’s not a bull rusher. The question for him is how he develops that technique on the next level. If he does, he has great potential.

I think this one ends up redshirting for a year to work on that technique. He was recruited by Marion Hobby.