16 Days to Miami football: No. 94 DT Tito Odenigbo 2018 Preview

Graduate transfer defensive tackle Tito Odenigbo did not join the Miami football program until May. He received his number 94 until well after we began the series of previews of Hurricanes players for 2018 on May 27.

Odenigbo transferred to the Miami football program from Illinois after being part of the Illini football team for four seasons. Odenigbo has one season of eligibility remaining with the Hurricanes.

He joins the Miami football team in a time of need at his position. The Hurricanes lost their top three defensive tackles from 2017. Starting defensive tackles Kendrick Norton and R.J. McIntosh were both selected in the NFL Draft in May.

Odenigbo is not expected to be a starter for Miami. He will provide the Hurricanes with a quality backup on the interior of the defensive line. In three seasons with Illinois, Odennigbo tallied 46 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two pass breakups.

Odenigbo is currently listed second on the depth chart at left defensive tackle behind Junior Pat Bethel. Senior Gerald Willis who is returning from a season off is the starter at right defensive tackle. His backup is Jon Ford. True Freshman Nesta Silvera is also expected to see playing time up front this fall.

In an interview with the Palm Beach Post on Thursday Odenigbo was scathing against his former school. He told the Post’s Miami Hurricanes beat reporter Anthony Chiang he left Illinois because he wants to play for a winner.

"“My biggest reason for coming here was so I can play as many games as possible. I came from not the most successful organization at the University of Illinois, and we just had a bad time either adjusting to our new team, new coaching staff.But I just wanted to go to a team that was solidified, had a chance to make progress and I can look back at my collegiate career and be happy.Also, [Miami] did lose two defensive tackles this year (Kendrick Norton and RJ McIntosh)and I feel like I could have an impact because my style of game is similar to theirs. So ultimately this was a good fit for both of us.”"

Odenigbo also discussed Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz’s style of having his players attack defensively. It’s a system that is going to continue to help Diaz and Head Coach Mark Richt continue to get the best players from South Florida for their defense.

"“It’s pretty fun…But here since we have athletic linebackers that can come up the field, and coach Diaz is a no regret man and he loves penetration and using my athletic abilities. So it’s kind of fun playing in this defense.”"

Odenigbo is not going to come to Miami and be a dominant force on the interior of the defensive line. Getting him to come to Coral Gables was important. The Hurricanes desperately needed depth at defensive tackle. Odenigbo will be a valuable player in the Miami rotation up front.

At 6’3 310 pounds he will help occupy space and offensive linemen. He should help equally against the run and the pass. He has proven that he can get in the backfield and make plays during his career at Illinois.