Riverdale defender switches from SEC to ACC

Chidi Okonya of Riverdale High switched from Tennessee to Duke in December and signed with the Blue Devils.

Three things to know about Okonya:

1. High intellect: Riverdale coach Terry Herrod describes the 6-foot-7, 225-pound Okonya as a warrior with an Ivy League intellect. That's what Duke coach David Cutcliffe landed when Okonya switched from the Volunteers to the Blue Devils.

2. Stepping forward as a senior: Okonya had 42 tackles, five sacks and recovered two fumbles his senior season at Riverdale, earning his a spot in the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl.

3. Find the training table: Okonya didn't begin playing football competitively until the eighth grade, but his talent is undeniable. "His best days are ahead of him," Herrod said. "Once he adds weight he has a chance to be a really good player in the ACC. Duke is the perfect school for Chidi."

About the Author

David Purdum

Texas A&M pressing for No. 1 CFP spot, topples another ranked team on the road

Texas A&M beat an AP-ranked team on the road for the third time this season and are a threat to take over the No. 1 spot in the CFP rankings.

KSU’s win streak fueled by strength of O-line. ‘It all starts up front.’

Kennesaw State has reached bowl eligibility for the first time in program history on the strength of an experienced and stout offensive line.

One of the top pass rushers in college football? He plays for Mercer

Coming off a year in which he was Southern Conference Freshman of the Year, Mercer's Andrew Zock is following it up by being among the FCS leaders in sacks, tackles for loss.

The Latest

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Atlanta TV sports listings

Texas A&M pressing for No. 1 CFP spot, topples another ranked team on the road

KSU’s win streak fueled by strength of O-line. ‘It all starts up front.’

Featured

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Mass cancellations hit Atlanta airport, shutdown causes uncertainty

Air travel is struggling as the government shutdown causes hassles and uncertainty for travelers, disruptions for airlines and even less wiggle room to recover from problems.

ICE raids, calls for boycott: Home Depot on frontlines of Trump crackdown

As ICE ratchets up arrests to meet Trump administration objectives, few private companies have become as associated with the crackdown as Home Depot. But does it play a role?

Comedian Katt Williams defeats women’s suit over Midtown brawl

With a legal technicality, Georgia-based comedian Katt Williams has dodged a lawsuit filed by four women who claim he violently assaulted them outside an Atlanta club.