This past football season, Stony Brook senior defensive lineman Victor Ochi earned many accolades, which included nabbing the team’s Division I record for career sacks and the title of Colonial Athletic Association Co-Defensive Player of the Year.
Now, Ochi will look to take the first step toward sacking the National Football League when he participates in its NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis from Feb. 23 to Feb. 29, the league announced on Thursday.
Ochi will exercise his physical and mental abilities on and off the field for scouts, general managers and other team personnel. He will be the second Seawolf to participate in the event, following the lead of former star running back Miguel Maysonet, who would end up going undrafted.
Maysonet would eventually spend time with eight NFL teams, including the Buffalo Bills this past season, but was never signed to the active roster for a regular season game.
However, Ochi’s stock is arguably the highest of any Seawolf heading into the draft process.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote on the league’s website that Ochi is a tough tackler who was able to dominate at the Football Championship Subdivision level.
“Ochi dominated his competition with explosive power and high-octane effort,” Zierlein wrote. “While his production looks inspiring, his opposition rarely played with enough functional strength or athleticism to warrant a camp invite.”
Ochi finished second in the FCS in sacks per game this season, totaling 13 over the course of 10 contests.
The Valley Stream-native is one of 63 players listed as a defensive lineman who was invited to the combine.
The STATS First Team All-American is currently projected to be a fifth round draft pic by CBSSports.com. If he should be selected, Ochi would be the first Seawolf to be chosen in the draft.
New York Giant Will Tye, who played his final season at Stony Brook in the team’s 2014 campaign, became the first Seawolves alumnus to suit up for a regular season game.
Tye would go on to be named to the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie team, after he completed the season with 42 catches for 464 yards and three touchdowns, while only playing in 14 games.
Other recent Stony Brook Football alumi who have spent time on NFL rosters are wide receivers Kevin Norrell and Adrian Coxson, as well as offensive lineman Michael Bamiro.
The 2016 NFL Draft will take place over the course of three days starting on April 28 in Chicago, Illinois.
