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HIGH SCHOOL
Onwenu, a product of Detroit (MI) Cass Tech, committed to Michigan in June of 2015 (LINK). I gave him a TTB Rating of 74. He wound up as a 4-star, the #4 offensive guard, and #87 overall in the 247 Composite and was a U.S. Army All-American.
Hit the jump for more.
COLLEGE
Onwenu played a backup role as a true freshman before starting nine games in 2017. He then became a full-time starter in 2018 and 2019.
CAREER STATS
46 career games played (35 starts)
AWARDS
3rd Team All-Big Ten (coaches, 2018-2019)
Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (media, 2018-2019)
SUMMARY
I have long thought that Onwenu would be better served on the defensive line at nose tackle. I had/have concerns about his conditioning and effort level, which would be less of an issue if he were rotating at nose tackle. Much like the scale we had at my high school, Michigan’s must only go up to 350 lbs. Onwenu hasn’t been 350 or below in a long, long time, but they continue to list him there. The truth is that he has been hovering in the 360s for the past couple years, with the coaches saying he was 368 and his weighing in at 362 at the Senior Bowl.
I WILL REMEMBER HIM FOR…
…weighing 360+ pounds. The Wolverines have not had a ton of guys as mountain-like as Onwenu. Current offensive guard Chuck Filiaga (341) and former lineman William Campbell (331) are two of the biggest Michigan players in recent history, but I think Onwenu takes the cake.
PROJECTION
So…it’s not often that players who are 360+ pounds play in the NFL. I found this list of the heaviest players in the NFL from 2018, and players who could rival Onwenu are Patriots’ (now Raiders’) offensive tackle Trent Brown (380) and Steelers’ offensive tackle Zach Banner (360). Both of those guys are 6’8″, and Onwenu is 6’3″. Onwenu was dominant in pass protection at the Senior Bowl and can be an effective run blocker, so I’m sure he will be enticing to NFL teams. But at some point you have to think that being so heavy will catch up to him. He also lacks the flexibility to play center or tackle, which could limit his appeal or ability to latch on as a backup. I think he will play in the NFL for a few years and be out of the league by the time he’s 30.
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Back in 2016, I thought Onwenu might be a better fit at DT as well. Two questions for you:
a) how would you have felt about a late-career move, say, last December to defense?
b) with conditioning an issue, how do you think Onwenu would do against a team capable of even above average tempo?
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For all the questions about motivation and weight, Onwenu proved to be a rock solid and durable contributor. 35 stars and multiple all-conference honors and a likely NFL pick.
I’ll remember him for being hounded by haters throughout his career and proving them wrong. And for being big — but also an elite pass blocker.
Onwenu’s and Bredeson’s success has gone a long way to stabilizing the Michigan OL situation which was pretty ragged for a good decade. glad he was here.
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I think I may be in the minority here but I will predict that Onwenu will have an excellent career. Not really sure where that line is drawn (not too many make it to 30 in the NFL) so I will clarify that I mean he will be a regular starter for at least a couple years and sign a free agent contract after his rookie deal expires. He’ll play as pro and make many millions, health permitting. I would not rule out a HOF career but I would certainly not count on it.
I think his talent is fairly obvious – not many people that big move with that level of agility. He’s got good feet and he’s massive and he’s gotten good coaching. The height is suboptimal and I agree he is limited to OG but so are a lot of others. All reports from the program are that he is a high character dude and I think moving to professional football without school factoring in will help Onwenu make strides in strength and conditioning.
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Thunder – I think your TTB ranking and assessment of him was darn good. Onwenu may have exceeded it this year.
Je93- I agree somewhat. I think all of us saw his size and thought he could plug the inside DL and rotating would have helped him. But, as of last Dec he finally learned to pull some and became a pretty good pass blocker on the OL. This late in his career a move to DL may not have been productive if he didn’t want to go for sure and I suspect the coaches would have been concerned about technique and pad level and left well enough alone.
Lan – I think haters is too strong a word. He did steady work under Warriner.
It would not surprise me if some NFL DC talks to Onwenu. If he can’t keep up he won’t make it beyond his first contract. Short career.
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Doubtaz doesn’t sound as good.
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“I got no love the dowtaz” might be taken the wrong way in the locker room.
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