NEW YORK, NY – Maryland senior tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo has accepted an invitation to play in the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl. The Shrine Bowl, America’s longest-running college football all-star game, which supports Shriners Children’s, will be played on Feb. 3, 2022, at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the Las Vegas Raiders as part of NFL Pro Bowl week.
Okonkwo, who declared for the NFL Draft on December 7 and will wrap up his Maryland career in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl on December 29, will be one of approximately 125 of the nation’s top college seniors to be coached by NFL staffs for a week of preparation in front of hundreds of NFL scouts, professional agents and media, all leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft, which will also be held in Las Vegas.
An Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection this year, Okonkwo hauled in 49 catches for 433 yards and five touchdowns in 2021. He ranks first among all Big Ten tight ends in both receiving touchdowns and receptions in conference games (41). Okonkwo’s touchdown mark ranks sixth among all Power Five tight ends. He hauled in 12 receptions against Penn State, the second-most in a game by any Big Ten player this season, and his 112 receiving yards at Michigan State were the second-most by any tight end in a Big Ten game this season.
The Powder Springs, GA native has totaled 73 receptions for 695 yards and eight touchdowns receiving over his three year Maryland career. The senior also tallied three rushing touchdowns in his freshman 2018 season and was named to the John Mackey Award Watch List, given to the nation’s top tight end in 2020 & 2021.
The East-West Shrine Bowl is the longest-running college all-star football game in the nation. Since 1925, the game has benefited Shriners Children’s. More than 300 Shrine Bowl alumni are on active NFL rosters each year. To date, East-West Shrine Bowl alumni represent 78 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and more than 200 members of the College Football Hall of Fame. To learn more, please visit shrinebowl.com.
COURTESY MARYLAND ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
