“When I got the call, tears started dropping out,” Okoronkwo told reporters Saturday. 

Okoronkwo became the fourth Sooners selected, behind No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield (Cleveland Browns) and third-round picks Orlando Brown and Mark Andrews (both Baltimore Ravens).

Okoronkwo capitalized on strong junior and senior seasons at Oklahoma, finishing last year with eight sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss as a 3-4 pass-rushing linebacker.

At 6-foot-2, 253 pounds, Okoronkwo wasn’t considered to have quite the size of length needed to a be prototype NFL linebacker, but Okoronkwo used his natural strength to become the Big 12’s co-defensive player of the team and a Second Team AP All-American as a senior.

“They see me as an edge guy who can do linebacker things,” Okoronkwo said. “And also like an instant contributor on special teams.”

Okoronkwo was the only Sooner selected on the final day of the draft, meaning fullback Dimitri Flowers, whom NFL.com projected as a middle-round pick, went undrafted.

Other NFL prospects such as receiver Jeff Badet (who ran a 4.27 40 at OU’s pro day) cornerback Jordan Thomas (who was once labeled with first-round potential) and safety Steven Parker (a Tulsa native) also went undrafted. 

Undrafted free agents

The following players reportedly signed deals with teams as undrafted free agents:

Jeff Badet, WR: Minnesota Vikings

Steven Parker, S: Los Angeles Rams

Dimitri Flowers, FB: New York Jets

Du’Vonta Lampkin, DT: Baltimore Ravens

Erick Wren, C: Cleveland Browns