Amobi Okoye Amobi Okoye ( born June 10 , 1987 ) is a Nigerian - American defensive tackle of American football who is currently a free agent . He was drafted by the Houston Texans tenth overall in the 2007 NFL Draft . He played college football at Louisville . Early years . Okoye was born in Anambra State , Nigeria , a member of the Igbo ethnic group . He moved to Huntsville , Alabama in the United States when he was 12 years old . After only spending two weeks in middle school , he tested into the 9th grade . He first started playing football as a sophomore at Lee High School , knowing virtually nothing about the game before his high school coach suggested he go play " Madden NFL " football to learn . By the time he was a senior , he won first - team All - State honors as both a defensive lineman and offensive lineman . Because he shares the same surname as former Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye , some sources have claimed that the two are related . Amobi says they are not related , but the two families live on adjoining land in Nigeria . College career . At age 15 Okoye chose the University of Louisville over Harvard , citing a desire to play for a strong football program . At Louisville , Okoye majored in biology . He later switched his major to psychology and graduated a semester early , thereby completing his degree in three and a half years . At 16 , he became the youngest player in the NCAA . Okoye played in all 13 games as a true freshman at defensive tackle and was credited with 17 tackles and a sack . He recorded then - career - best three tackles against Tulane and recorded his first career sack against UTEP . As a sophomore , Okoye appeared in 11 of 12 games , recording 26 tackles and a sack . Okoye ' s only missed game was against East Carolina , because of a shoulder injury . Okoye also made his first collegiate start against Army , recording a career - high seven tackles . In his junior season of 2005 , he recorded 23 tackles and four tackles for a loss . In the biggest game of the year , against the West Virginia Mountaineers , Okoye recorded four tackles . He missed the Florida Atlantic matchup due to a foot sprain . Against Kentucky , Okoye registered two tackles and a fumble recovery . Okoye also totaled three tackles against South Florida . As a senior in 2006 , Okoye finally started all 13 games . In those 13 games , he registered 55 tackles , eight sacks , and recovered three fumbles . Okoye garnered Associated Press Second - Team All - American honors and first - team All - Big East honors . As the NCAA ' s youngest senior at 19 years old , Okoye garnered first - round draft status during the season . During the Senior Bowl , Okoye ' s stock rose dramatically with strong practice and game performances . Professional career . 2007 NFL Draft . Okoye was drafted by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft . He is the youngest player to ever be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft at only 19 years old . He was the highest draft pick to come out of the University of Louisville since the AFL - NFL merger . Houston Texans . Okoye signed a five - year deal with the Texans on July 26 , which allowed him to begin training camp with his teammates the next day . With his first start , Okoye became the youngest player to appear in an NFL game since 1967 . Okoye was named Defensive Rookie of the Month for September 2007 after leading the AFC with four sacks . He is the youngest player ever to receive the award . On July 30 , 2011 , after four seasons in Houston , he was released . First stint with Bears . Okoye signed with the Chicago Bears on July 30 , 2011 . Tampa Bay Buccaneers . Okoye signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on April 7 , 2012 . Second stint with Bears . Okoye returned to the Bears on August 31 , 2012 . He later signed a one - year contract on September 3 . He was waived on November 27 , 2012 , but was eventually brought back on December 12 .