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David Oke will finish his college football career at Arkansas after a breakout season at Abilene Christian in 2024. The Razorbacks made the rising senior defensive tackle an offer he could not refuse.
And, believe it or not, the primary selling point was not money!
Oke, a former three-star recruit, recorded 64 total tackles (22 solo) and two sacks as a junior. His 6-foot-2, 290-pound frame should translate to the FBS level so he was in high demand in the transfer portal.
Can’t teach Effort ! Let’s win this all ! pic.twitter.com/OdMgkq7AH9
— David Oke (@DavidOke98) December 2, 2024
BYU, USC, Rutgers, Colorado State, Indiana, Boise State, Kansas State, Florida Atlantic, Virginia, Tulane, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Mississippi State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Houston, Boston College, West Virginia, Virginia Tech and Texas Tech offered Oke through the portal. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.
While other college football programs threw a bag at Oke, Arkansas presented him with a unique opportunity beyond the gridiron. Defensive line coach Deke Adams opened his rolodex.
David Oke started his own clothing line during the pandemic in 2020. JDY Apparels, pronounced “Judy,” stands for Just Do You.
According to Best of Arkansas Sports, a lightbulb went off in Adams’ head learned about Oke’s clothing brand during the recruiting process. He got the star FCS transfer in touch with one of his friends, “who just so happens to work for one of the top companies in the country and specializes in growing businesses.”
While other schools only offered money, Arkansas gave Oke a chance to build his clothing brand with advice from a profound entrepreneur. It was an opportunity he could not turn down. The former Abilene Christian star committed to the Razorbacks on Dec. 20. He and the unnamed businessman already met once and they plan to do so again soon now that it is the offseason.
In an era where the NIL dollar often speaks the loudest, Arkansas zigged when everyone else zagged. Adams’ connections paid off in a big way!