Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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2016 RECRUITING ISSUE BY ANDREW OWENS Julian Okwara is focused on one- upping his brother's career once he ar- rives at Notre Dame this summer. Julian, the younger brother of Ro- meo, is a four-star defensive end out of Ardrey Kell High School in Charlotte, N.C., and is more highly touted than recent college graduate Romeo. If Julian ultimately has a better career than Romeo, it will be an impressive one after the older Okwara finished 2015 with eight sacks and is a likely NFL Draft pick this spring. The preexisting connection with the Okwara family helped Notre Dame land Julian in the 2016 class. "Notre Dame already had a great relationship with my family, so I was already talking about that stuff," Julian said. "When they saw my size they told me they're keeping an eye on me. "It's a great fit, and I've already built relationships with the coaches. I got to hang out with the players and every- thing." Julian hopes to immediately lift the Irish pass rush, which must fill the void left by Romeo's departure. "Definitely," Julian replied when asked whether he sees a path to play- ing time as a freshman. "I've got to get there first over the summer and try to get in there and work hard, especially with one of the D-linemen. "Isaac Rochell has actually been talking to me and texting me to make sure I'm getting my head up and ready for it. He's one of my brother's good Julian Okwara Follows Older Brother To Notre Dame Okwara is quite familiar with Notre Dame after watching his brother Romeo play there the past four years, and he is hoping to make his own mark with the program. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM