clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

UTEP Football: 2015 DL Denzel Chukwukelu Verbally Commits To UTEP

UTEP beefed up the defensive line with some future depth thanks to an under the radar commitment from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

By Alex Nicolas
www.minerrush.com

A possible unheralded diamond in the rough from the gem heavy Dallas-Fort Worth area announced his commitment to UTEP.

2015 Defensive lineman Denzel Chukwukelu announced via Twitter he has verbally committed to UTEP.

Chukwukelu was offered back in July, and produced a solid senior year for top DFW contender Rockwall-Heath.

The 6'5 270 lb defensive lineman helped lead Rockwall-Heath to the Class 5A Division I Regional Semi-Final and a 10-3 record as a key defensive cog this season.

Chukwukelu totaled four sacks in 17 varsity games according to Max Preps, and also recorded a very nice tipped at the line by self-interception this season.

Rockwall-Heath had one of the best defensive units in the DFW area giving up only 245 yards and 14.4 points during the regular season.

He came up big in their playoff run with some key sacks, and a huge forced fumble in their bi-district championship game.

Expect a high motor, high character, hardworking approach from him as he was the most improved lifter on his high school team posting a 455 lb squat, a 285 lb bench, and 250 lb hang clean last spring.

His size and strength definitely stands out on film, primary playing in the middle as a defensive tackle, his strength in moving blockers, and ability to fire off the ball with definite D-1 speed were probably huge draws for the UTEP staff.   Very active even when engaged in blocks, he looked like a tough defender to keep in check as he appears to never give up on any downs even if he is taken out of the play.

He also knows how to use his hands very well to fight off blocks, and terrorized a usually stout Euless Trinity offensive line early this season.  His bull rush is pretty impressive, though will have to sharpen up on other techniques which under Andrew Browning he could develop into something special in the next few seasons as he progresses his raw skills.

There are no stars next to him name, nor or a long list of prestigious offers, but he fits the mold Kugler is looking for: character, size, production from his defensive unit and personal performance, and the hardworking gene some with stars by their name don't possess.