Chig Okonkwo Bio
Chigoziem Charlton “Chig” Okonkwo is an American professional football tight end and fullback for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 238 pounds, he combines the frame of an in-line tight end with the versatility to line up as a fullback or in the slot. He played college football for the Maryland Terrapins before making his NFL debut in 2022.
Okonkwo grew up in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he showed early promise in athletics and transitioned into a successful college player before joining the Titans. Known for his reliable hands and willingness as a blocker, he quickly earned a role in Tennessee’s offense and became a steady contributor on offense and special teams.
Early Life and Background
Okonkwo was born on September 8, 1999, in Powder Springs, Georgia, and raised in a Nigerian-American household. He attended Hillgrove High School, where he developed into one of the more productive pass-catchers in the Cobb County area. As a junior, he caught 48 passes for 907 yards and 12 touchdowns, numbers that established him as a clear college prospect.
Coming out of high school, Okonkwo was rated a three-star recruit by major scouting services. He received scholarship offers from several programs, including Georgia Tech and Wisconsin, before choosing to play college football at the University of Maryland. His decision to leave the Southeast reflected both his confidence and his family’s encouragement to chase the best opportunity for his development.
Beyond football, Okonkwo has been open about his cultural background and the expectations that come with being a first-generation American athlete. That grounding has shaped his work ethic and his reputation as a quiet, focused teammate throughout his career.
Path to American Football
Okonkwo’s journey to the NFL began in the Terrapins’ offense, where he showed flashes as a true freshman. He caught six passes for 69 yards and a touchdown and added three rushing attempts for 72 yards and a touchdown, offering an early glimpse of the dual-threat role he would later fill in Tennessee’s scheme.
As a sophomore, Okonkwo recorded 19 receptions for 201 yards and two touchdowns, taking on a larger share of the passing game. His development was interrupted in 2020, when he missed the entire season after being diagnosed with myocarditis. He returned healthy the following year and put together a strong senior campaign, catching 52 passes for 447 yards and five touchdowns.
His production at Maryland, paired with his blocking and special-teams value, was enough to convince NFL teams that he could fit a hybrid tight end and fullback role. That projection led directly to his selection in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Chig Okonkwo Career
Early Career (2022)
Okonkwo was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the 143rd overall pick by the Tennessee Titans. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the New York Giants and quickly became a regular in the team’s offensive rotation. By midseason, he had carved out a defined role as a move tight end and fullback.
In Week 4 against the Indianapolis Colts, he scored his first NFL touchdown on an eight-yard reception from quarterback Ryan Tannehill. He went on to appear in all 17 games as a rookie, making eight starts, and finished the year with 32 receptions for 450 receiving yards, 3 rushing attempts for 2 yards, and three receiving touchdowns. His strong all-around debut earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Tennessee Titans Breakthrough (2023)
Building on his rookie foundation, Okonkwo stepped into a larger role in 2023. He appeared in all 17 games and made 11 starts, serving as a reliable underneath target and a willing edge blocker. His usage reflected the Titans’ confidence in his ability to handle a full-time workload.
He finished the 2023 season with 54 receptions for 528 receiving yards, two rushing attempts for six yards, and one receiving touchdown. The jump in catches and yardage marked clear year-over-year growth and cemented his status as a core piece of Tennessee’s offensive plan heading into the next season.
Tennessee Titans Era (2024)
In 2024, Okonkwo continued to handle a heavy snap count as both a tight end and a fullback. One of his defining moments came on a Week 12 road game against the Houston Texans, when he caught a career-long 70-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to help lead the Titans to a 32-27 upset. The play highlighted his downfield ability and showed how the Titans could stress defenses vertically out of heavy personnel groupings.
He finished the 2024 season with 52 receptions for 479 yards and two touchdowns, reinforcing his role as a steady, dependable piece of the passing game. By the end of the year, he had firmly established himself as a versatile matchup piece for Tennessee’s offense and a respected presence in the locker room.
Playing Style and Strengths
Okonkwo is at his best when used in motion, in the flat, or attached to the offensive line as an in-line blocker. His combination of size, route-running polish, and competitive toughness allows him to hold up against larger defensive ends while also creating mismatches against smaller defensive backs. Coaches have consistently praised his preparation and his willingness to take on dirty work in the run game.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first NFL touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 and his 70-yard score against the Houston Texans in 2024 stand out as signature moments. Being named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team remains a key individual honor, while his 528-yard season in 2023 represents his most productive year as a pro to date.
Chig Okonkwo Career Highlights
Across his first three NFL seasons, Okonkwo has steadily increased his production while maintaining a near-every-down role. He has lined up across the formation as a traditional tight end, a wing fullback, and a slot receiver, giving the Titans a flexible chess piece in their weekly game plans.
Tennessee Titans Highlights
Okonkwo’s most recent win column highlight came with his career-long 70-yard touchdown against the Houston Texans in Week 12 of the 2024 season, a play that helped Tennessee pull off a 32-27 upset on the road. Across his three NFL seasons with the Titans, he has logged double-digit starts each year and emerged as one of the most reliable pass-catching tight ends on the roster.
Other Performances
At the University of Maryland, Okonkwo closed his college career with a 52-reception, 447-yard, five-touchdown senior season, capping a steady four-year arc that included an early setback with myocarditis in 2020. His freshman touchdown on the ground and his consistent growth as a receiver gave scouts a clear picture of his hybrid potential.
Chig Okonkwo Family
Family Background and Lineage
Okonkwo was born to a Nigerian family that settled in Powder Springs, Georgia, where he was raised alongside his siblings. His parents supported his athletic pursuits from an early age, and their influence helped shape his disciplined approach to the sport. While he keeps most family details private, he has spoken publicly about the pride he takes in representing his Nigerian heritage in the NFL.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Okonkwo is an active Old School RuneScape player and, in January 2025, publicly revealed his account and username shortly after maxing out all of his in-game skills. He is known among teammates for his focused, low-key personality and his willingness to spend extra time studying film and working on his craft.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into 2025, Okonkwo enters the season firmly established as one of the Titans’ primary tight ends and fullbacks. His three-year track record of high snap counts and steady production gives him a strong platform, while his expanded downfield usage in 2024 suggests there is room for another step forward in the passing game.
The Titans’ offensive staff is expected to continue building around his versatility, using him in motion, in two-tight-end sets, and in fullback alignments to stress opposing defenses. With another offseason of development and chemistry with the quarterback room, Okonkwo is positioned to push for his first 600-yard receiving season.
For Okonkwo individually, the goals are clear: stay healthy, build on his career-best stretch, and continue serving as a security blanket for the Titans’ passing attack. If the offense finds rhythm early, he has the tools and the opportunity to deliver the most productive season of his young NFL career.