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Chima Okoli is another young, promising defensive lineman prepared to battle for more playing time this season. He played in eight games last year, providing depth and steady play for one of the nation's top defenses. Okoli brings good strength, skills and size to the field and has made considerable strides during his initial two years as a Nittany Lion. He should be in the thick of the highly competitive situation at defensive tackle. Okoli earned first-team all-state and All-Tidewater accolades at Salem HS. One of seven children, Chima's second cousin is Emeka Okafor, the 2004-05 NBA Rookie-of-the-Year with the Charlotte Bobcats. Okoli is one of six returning Nittany Lions from Virginia and joins senior Devin Fentress and freshman Kevin Newsome in the long line of Penn Staters from the talent-rich Tidewater Region. Okoli compiled a 3.25 grade-point average during the spring semester.
2008 Sophomore Season
Okoli played in eight games, providing depth and steady play for one of the nation's top defenses. He made his first career stop in the 55-13 victory at Syracuse. Okoli was on the field for 84 snaps, topped by 17 each against Coastal Carolina and Syracuse.
2007 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.
High School
Okoli earned first-team Associated Press all-state, All-Tidewater Region and All-Virginia Beach honors for Coach Robert Jackson at Salem HS. During his senior campaign, he recorded 85 tackles and 15 sacks and received first-team All-Gameday Magazine accolades. He led Salem to Virginia division and regional championships. Okoli was instrumental in Salem allowing the second-fewest points and yards in Virginia Beach prep history. He was selected to play in the 2007 Virginia High School League All-Star game. He also threw the shot put and played basketball at Salem.
Personal
Full name is Chimaeze Odilichukwu Okoli. He is the son of Dr. Emeka Okoli and Glayds Okoli. His father is a Fulbright senior scholar and visiting professor, University of Abuja in Nigeria, who is a professor of mass communications and journalism at Norfolk State University. Chima has four older brothers -- Chimboyuim, Ebuka, Uche and Ebube -- and a younger sister, Oge. A second cousin is Emeka Okafor, the 2004-05 NBA Rookie-of-the-Year with the Charlotte Bobcats. Okoli is a telecommunications major. In his spare time, he likes to fish, play video games and volunteer. Born July 13, 1989 in Virginia Beach, Va.
