Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
CB – 5-10, 182, 4.50
Chino Hills, Calif. (Chino Hills HS)
He’s thick for a cornerback, with good hands, 4.5 speed, rated the 17th-best cornerback in the nation by Rivals and ESPN. Much of his highlight video shows him fielding punts or at wide receiver, and the experience and athletic ability he shows there reveals him to be a special talent, powerfully built and dangerous with the ball in his hands.
He made plays at tailback and slot receiver, rushing 126 times for 797 yards and eight touchdowns while accumulating 30 catches for 385 yards and four touchdowns his senior year. A three-year starter at Chino Hills, he set a school record with eight interceptions as a sophomore.
A cornerback with an offensive background is often more aggressive when the ball is in the air; they find it easier and tend to react like it belongs to them rather than being passive or careful. He’ll be a ballhawk, the very best kind of corner, a good and aggressive tackler with a little linebacker in him. His style compares to Jairus Byrd rather than Cliff Harris. Throwing his way will always be a mistake.
In interviews, he speaks modestly, soft-spoken and direct. He’s a solid student with a 3.0 core G.P.A. and a 1480 SAT, another indicator of a good work ethic. This week Ifo (pronounced EE-foe) told Max Williams of Duck Territory that he’s working hard to get ready for fall practice at Oregon:
“I work out 5 times a week, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday usually from 3:00 to 8:30-9:00, and on Monday, Wednesday just weight lifting” he said. He has been focusing on improving his explosiveness and closing speed. In addition he is continuing to improve his footwork, which “can always get better”.
2010 Stats (from goducks.com and maxpreps.com)
Rushing: 126 carries 797 yards, 8 tds
Receiving: 30 receptions 385 yards, 4 tds
Defense: 71 tackles, 2 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles
Other: 98-yard kickoff return versus Charter Oak
Team Record: 10-3, League Champions, lost in the CIF Southern Section semi-finals to eventual champion Centennial
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