C.J. Okoye’s path from Nigeria to the NFL is unlike anything the Baltimore Ravens or the league have seen in years. A former basketball player from Nigeria, Okoye, never played organized football before joining the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPPP). However, his rare blend of size, explosiveness, and raw potential quickly transformed him from an international long shot into one of the most compelling developmental prospects and journeys in the league.
Okoye’s Path To The Ravens
Originally discovered at an IPPP camp in Africa, Okoye’s transition began with a crash course in football technique, terminology, and fundamentals. His learning curve was steep, but his progress was undeniable. That upside became national news last preseason. He recorded a sack in his first-ever organized football game with the Los Angeles Chargers, an exclamation point on his rapid rise.
In his first game as a Raven, 6-foot-6, 370-pound CJ Okoye rocked Daniel Jones for a QB hit.
An International Pathway Program player from Nigeria, Okoye is an ascending player.
“[He’s] making good use of all that size he has. He’s come light years,” John Harbaugh said. pic.twitter.com/1OxP2bSnrt
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) August 12, 2025
>>>>>>>>>>>Now, Okoye is carving out his next chapter with the Baltimore Ravens, a franchise known for developing defensive talent and maximizing unconventional skill sets. Operating as a defensive line project with rare physical traits, Okoye is working daily to refine his hand usage, leverage, and understanding of the Ravens’ aggressive front.
Coaches have praised his work ethic, and teammates have rallied around his story, recognizing how far he’s come in such a short time.
Okoye’s Potential Is Limitless
For Ravens fans and followers of the IPPP, Okoye represents more than a roster hopeful; he embodies the future of the league’s international reach. His journey from Nigerian basketball courts to Baltimore’s defensive line is still being written, but one thing is clear: C.J. Okoye’s story is just beginning, and it’s one worth watching.
