Oklahoma State University Athletics
Photo by: OSU Athletics
Obi Ezeigbo: Just Getting Started
September 12, 2024 | Cowboy Football
STILLWATER — Big 12 Newcomer of the Week Obi Ezeigbo embodies what it means to be a team player.
"I'm just gonna keep fighting like I didn't earn anything," Ezeigbo said.
"I'm just gonna keep fighting like I didn't earn anything," Ezeigbo said.
From late nights, early mornings and even weekends, you can find him on the field trying to perfect his craft. Football is not just about the game itself, it's about the hardwork and dedication you put into it to be ready when game day comes. This is a mentality Ezeigbo knows well.
"I was always really the guy to stay after practice and get extra work, or on the weekends when we don't have practice or just not really doing anything." Ezeigbo said. "I have free time, I always want to come back to the field and try to work on something."
Although for Ezeigbo it's not about the awards or the praise. It's about being there for his team; someone they can count on, and he proved to be just that. Ezeigbo got a chance to step up and prove that he deserved his spot last week. OSU went head-to-head with Arkansas in a thriller,when in the second quarter star edge rusher Collin Oliver came out of the game with a foot injury. All eyes then pointed to the redshirt senior transfer from Gannon University, who had only played a few snaps of Division I football. On Saturdaythough, it seemed to be second nature. He had two sacks and four and a half tackles for loss to help the Cowboys win.
"It feels good to be able to be trusted to step up at a moment like that," Ezeigbo said. "Honestly, I was just trying to make every moment count. I want to be able to be that guy that they trust every game, week in week out, to the point where it's just a no brainer – OK, throw Obi out there and let's have him make a play."
His performance was a shock for some and even earned him Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, but it wasn't a surprise to his teammates who have seen what he could do.
"I don't think people realize how much work he put in on the offseason," said offensive lineman Isaia Glass. "On his own time, he's come up here all the time, dang near every day, off day, Saturdays, and really put a lot of work in. How much time he spent in the film room – Obi, he cares a lot like a professional and I feel like it showed up in the games he's played in. Even the first game when he got in, he did good, and obviously this game when he had that many reps, he showed up."
Obi Ezeigbo is a hard worker, Mr. Dependable, Newcomer of the Week, and he's not done yet.
"It definitely makes me want to keep fighting to the top. It's a good feeling to get that award, but honestly, I'm always finding ways to get better and seeing stuff I could fix. It's nice. I appreciate it, but I'm gonna keep seeing what I could improve on and see what real award I could really get."
His next opportunity comes Saturday, as Oklahoma State visits Tulsa for the first road game of 2024, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
His next opportunity comes Saturday, as Oklahoma State visits Tulsa for the first road game of 2024, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
Players Mentioned
Oklahoma State Postgame Sound (5-17-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional Final
Monday, May 18
Stanford Postgame Sound (5-17-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional Final
Monday, May 18
Princeton Postgame Sound (5-16-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional
Sunday, May 17
Stanford Postgame Sound (5-16-2026) - NCAA Softball Stillwater Regional
Sunday, May 17
