Michael Ezeike bringing pro-like tendencies from UCLA to NFL
LOS ANGELES (BVM) 鈥� Michael Ezeike remembers his first high school football practice like it was yesterday.
After moving from his home country of Nigeria when he was 6, Ezeike started to realize that American football was king here, not the football he was used to.
As he grew up, he started to build an admiration for the game from a distance. Just enough to want to give it a chance when he got into high school.
When he got that chance in his first practice, it did not go as well as he thought it would.
鈥淚 remember how bad it was. I wasn鈥檛 very good at all,鈥� Ezeike said. 鈥淚 just remember feeling like I wanted to quit. It was a lot more conditioning, running, physical toughness and mental toughness than I expected.鈥�
But Ezeike stuck with it. And everything about the game that he was not used to quickly became the reason why he fell in love with the sport.
鈥淵ou learn a lot about yourself as a competitor and how tough you are,鈥� Ezeike said.聽
Now that same guy will look to hear his name called in the upcoming NFL Draft.
By the end of his high school career, Ezeike had turned himself into a coveted recruit. According to , he was the No. 260 prospect in the country. In February of his senior year, he announced his commitment to UCLA.
Colony four-star tight end Michael Ezeike commits to
— Gerard Martinez (@gmartlive)
But it was not as simple as just committing. Ezeike was a decent student in high school, but at the time, he did not meet the requirements to get into the prestigious university.
As a senior, he grinded to make sure he would get in. And when he got back his high SAT score, it was a moment he will never forget. In fact, he considers that accomplishment higher up the list than anything he has done on the football field.
鈥淚t was a really big moment in my life,鈥� Ezeike said.
He has also proved this was not fluke, making the athletic director鈥檚 honor roll twice during his time in Los Angeles.
Ezeike spent a total of five years with the Bruins and shined the brightest in his final game at the Rose Bowl.
In a 48-45 loss to rival USC, he had four receptions for 44 yards with three touchdowns. Despite the great performance, he takes more pride in the trajectory of the program going forward.聽
Michael Ezeike with his THIRD touchdown of the night 馃張
Its a shootout in Los Angeles 馃敟
— 247Sports (@247Sports)
鈥淚 was proud of myself, but unfortunately we didn鈥檛 secure the victory, which is not the way I wanted to go out,鈥� Ezeike said. 鈥淚鈥檓 happy we were able to get to nine wins this season and leave on a good note.鈥�
Now prepping for April鈥檚 draft, Ezeike has been able to show NFL evaluators what he can bring, most notably at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in January. According to , he was one of the event鈥檚 biggest standouts.
Keep an eye on 84 in grey 鈥檚 Michael Ezeike. I鈥檓 predicting he will see a lot of action
— ryan anderson (@RLAndersonLAFB)
But overall for a person in Ezeike鈥檚 shoes, it is a stressful time. However, with the supporting cast he has in place, he is prepared mentally for any challenge.
鈥淚 have a lot of people in my corner who help me stay sane,鈥� Ezeike said. 鈥淲hen you have good mentors and people who can help you throughout the process, it makes it a lot easier.鈥�
When the process finally ends and Ezeike is on an NFL roster, his number one goal is to prove he belongs right away.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 want to be looked at as a rookie my first year,鈥� Ezeike said. 鈥淚 want my actions to make me be seen as a pro. Whatever that entails, whether that is being early to meetings or staying after practice. Just things a pro would do.鈥�
