Odafe Oweh’s Pre-Draft Exercise with the Portland Trail Blazers: A Deep Dive into His Journey to the NFL

The 2021 NFL Draft was a year filled with surprises and unpredictable moves, with teams across the league looking to bolster their rosters with promising prospects who could make an immediate impact. One player who caught the attention of scouts and analysts alike was Odafe Oweh, an explosive pass rusher from Penn State University. His physicality, speed, and potential were undeniable, but it was his pre-draft exercises, particularly his workout with the Portland Trail Blazers, that offered further insight into his unique abilities and the versatility he could bring to the professional league.

Odafe Oweh’s Background: From Football to the Draft

Odafe Oweh’s rise to prominence in the football world was anything but conventional. Born in Nigeria and moving to the United States at the age of 7, Oweh didn’t initially gravitate toward football. He spent much of his childhood playing soccer, but a chance encounter with football during his high school years quickly transformed him into one of the most physically gifted prospects in the 2021 draft class.

After attending Blair Academy in New Jersey, Oweh caught the attention of college scouts with his raw athleticism. This led him to choose Penn State University, where he would develop into a formidable force on the defensive line. As a member of the Nittany Lions, Oweh showcased remarkable speed, strength, and a relentless pursuit of quarterbacks, making him a highly coveted prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Although his college career at Penn State was relatively short—Oweh played only two seasons (2019-2020)—his development was rapid. His sophomore season was particularly impressive, as he accumulated 5.0 sacks in 2020, leading to his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and declare for the draft. His physical traits were undeniable, but there was still much debate about whether his production matched his potential.

The NFL Draft Process: A Unique Year

The 2021 NFL Draft process was a unique one, shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the limitations on in-person meetings, interviews, and workouts, prospects like Oweh had to rely more on virtual meetings, film studies, and limited pro days to impress scouts. However, Oweh’s talent and athleticism were so apparent that many teams were eager to see him in person, especially after his impressive performance at the Penn State pro day.

At 6’5″ and 257 pounds, Oweh boasted a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, a remarkable feat for someone of his size and position. This athleticism stood out to many NFL teams, and his pro day performance was considered a turning point in his draft stock. Despite not being a consistently dominant player during his college career, Oweh’s physical attributes, combined with his potential for development, made him one of the most intriguing pass-rushing prospects in the class.

The Blazers’ Workout: A Surprising Connection

Though Oweh was an NFL prospect, his workout with the Portland Trail Blazers—a team in the NBA—may seem out of place at first glance. After all, Oweh was preparing for the NFL, not the NBA. However, this particular workout had much less to do with basketball than it did with showcasing Oweh’s athleticism in a broader sense.

The Blazers’ interest in Oweh was rooted in his elite physical attributes and his potential to excel in various athletic settings. During his time at Penn State, Oweh’s explosive first step and lateral movement were key components of his pass-rushing game. These same qualities are highly valued in basketball, particularly when it comes to defensive versatility. The Blazers, known for their forward-thinking approach to training and player development, saw an opportunity to gauge Oweh’s agility, coordination, and athleticism in an environment outside of football.

Working out with a basketball team was a unique opportunity for Oweh. It allowed him to demonstrate his coordination, agility, and speed in a different setting, where footwork and lateral quickness are crucial. While Oweh was already an elite athlete in the context of football, this exercise allowed him to push his limits in new ways. The Blazers, who have long placed an emphasis on developing athletes with cross-disciplinary skills, may have also seen the workout as a way to assess Oweh’s adaptability and ability to excel under pressure.

For Oweh, this workout was an opportunity to show that his skills weren’t limited to one sport or setting. The idea that he could transition seamlessly from football to basketball drills spoke volumes about his athletic potential. Though he would not be joining the NBA anytime soon, the workout was symbolic of Oweh’s rare athletic profile and his ability to stand out in any sport he chose to pursue.

Analyzing Oweh’s Strengths and Weaknesses

While the workout with the Blazers provided a fascinating glimpse into Oweh’s athleticism, it was his football-related strengths and weaknesses that made him one of the most talked-about prospects leading up to the draft.

Strengths:

1. Athleticism and Explosion: Oweh’s physical attributes were perhaps the most impressive aspect of his game. His combination of size, speed, and explosiveness made him an intriguing option as a pass rusher. His 4.36-second 40-yard dash was one of the fastest times for any player in his position, and it showcased just how quickly he could close in on quarterbacks.
2. Versatility: Oweh’s ability to play both defensive end and outside linebacker made him an attractive option for teams looking for flexibility in their defensive schemes. His quick first step, along with his ability to change direction quickly, allowed him to create mismatches against offensive linemen.
3. Work Ethic and Development: Although Oweh wasn’t a finished product in terms of technique, his work ethic and desire to improve were key factors in his rise as a draft prospect. The fact that he had only been playing football for a relatively short amount of time meant that his ceiling was still incredibly high. Scouts saw a player with raw talent and the potential for significant development.

Weaknesses:

1. Inconsistent Production: While Oweh’s physical traits were remarkable, his production didn’t always match the hype. In 2020, Oweh had only one sack in seven games. Some scouts were concerned about his lack of consistent pass-rush production, especially given his potential.
2. Polished Technique: Oweh’s pass-rush technique was still a work in progress. Although he had great burst and power, he often relied on his athleticism to make plays rather than refined technique. His hand placement, pass-rush moves, and ability to disengage from blockers were areas in which he needed to improve.
3. Football IQ: Oweh’s understanding of the game was still developing. While he showed flashes of brilliance, there were moments when his instincts didn’t match his athletic abilities. His decision-making and recognition of offensive plays could use further refinement, especially at the professional level.

The Portland Trail Blazers’ Interest: A Strategic Move?

The Trail Blazers’ decision to work out Oweh was somewhat unorthodox, yet it demonstrated the team’s keen eye for athleticism and potential beyond traditional basketball drills. For Oweh, this workout might have seemed like an unexpected opportunity, but it fit into the broader narrative of him being a versatile athlete with the ability to excel in various physical environments. Though it didn’t translate directly into an NBA career, the workout underscored his athletic versatility and his ability to rise to challenges outside of his primary sport.

For the Blazers, this workout may have served as a measure of Oweh’s ability to adapt, learn, and refine his skills. The Blazers, known for their analytical approach to player development, have long understood that success in professional sports doesn’t always come from traditional methods. By evaluating Oweh in a unique context, the team may have been looking for insights into his ability to excel under pressure, his focus, and his overall adaptability.

The NFL Draft: A Future in the Pros

Despite the unconventional nature of his workout with the Blazers, Oweh’s focus remained firmly on the NFL. As the 2021 NFL Draft approached, Oweh’s stock continued to rise. The combination of his raw athleticism and the potential for development made him an appealing choice for several NFL teams in need of an explosive pass rusher. His workout with the Blazers might have been a fleeting moment, but it captured the essence of Oweh’s potential to thrive in any environment.

Ultimately, Oweh was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. The Ravens, known for their strong defensive schemes, saw Oweh as a key piece in their pass-rush rotation. His time in the NFL, starting with the Ravens, would mark the next chapter in a promising career—one that began with a unique pre-draft workout that showcased his extraordinary athleticism and adaptability.

Odafe Oweh’s pre-draft workout with the Portland Trail Blazers was a fascinating chapter in his journey to the NFL. While it may have seemed unusual for a football prospect to be working out with an NBA team, the session demonstrated Oweh’s elite athleticism, versatility, and potential to thrive in multiple sports settings. As he entered the NFL, Oweh’s physical gifts and determination to improve would make him a player to watch, and his ability to rise to challenges—whether on the basketball court or the football field—would continue to define his career.

In the end, the Blazers’ workout with Oweh wasn’t just about basketball—it was about recognizing raw athleticism, potential, and a mindset that transcends the confines of one sport. For Oweh, it was a glimpse of the versatility that would make him an intriguing and valuable prospect in the NFL, one whose future would be shaped not only by his physical traits but also by his ability to evolve and refine his game.

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