The Pittsburgh Maulers re-signed defensive lineman Christopher Okoye on Friday. Christopher Okoye is six foot six and weighs 320 pounds.
The 27-year-old from Novi, Michigan, made seven tackles (6 solo, 1 assist), five tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in seven games for the Maulers in 2023.
The New Orleans Breakers drafted Okoye in the 26th round (216th pick) of the 2022 USFL Draft. The Maulers acquired him as a free agent on June 1, 2022. He split the 2022 season with Breakers and Maulers making nine tackles (4 solo, 5 assists) in six games.
Before Pittsburgh, Okoye signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2018. After Cincinnati, Okoye signed with the Spokane Shock (IFL) in 2020 but the season was canceled. He returned to the Shock in 2021 with two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist), and one interception in two games. After the season, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on August 8, 2021, but suffered an injury during the preseason and was released with an injury settlement.
Collegiately, Okoye played four seasons at Ferris State (2014-17) with 67 tackles (19 solo, 48 assists), 7.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and two pass breakups in 42 games for the Bulldogs. He was named First Team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Football Gazette All-American Team in 2017.
