Ike Okafor couldn’t be more excited to take the field for his senior season at Alief Hastings.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Football wasn’t always the primary passion for the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Cal defensive tackle commit the way it is today. The other futbol was.

“I came from playing soccer 24/7 because that was the first sport I liked and I didn’t want to change it,” Okafor said. “It took me about 2-3 months to switch sports.”

The switch from soccer to football didn't go as smoothly as he'd hoped as he would miss practice several days at a time. That was until a coach pulled Okafor aside one day and told him he could go a long way with football; that one day potentially retire his family.

That was all Okafor needed to hear.

He took his lumps early on playing right tackle and defensive end. He was the one getting pancaked, not the other way around.

Okafor didn't pout, though. Instead, he went to YouTube and began to watch former Los Angeles Rams’ defensive tackle Aaron Donald and how he played the game.

Things began to change as Okafor went into his freshman season at Alief Hastings.

“I was balling out at the summer camp, and one day, my coach pulled me to the side and told me I was going to be on varsity,” Okafor said. “I was happy, but I didn’t see a lot of playing time. I was a special teams demon.”

As Okafor progressed through the Hastings program, he continued to improve and see more time on the field. But on May 19, 2023, after his sophomore season, Okafor got the opportunity he always wanted and worked tirelessly for.

“I remember the day I received my first scholarship from Arkansas State,” Okafor said. “I was happy and I was crying because I prayed for that moment.”

The first offer only made Okafor want to work harder during his junior season. And that he did.

Almost a year after receiving his first offer, the Alief Hastings defensive lineman now held a total of 18 scholarships. But on May 22, it came time to make a decision.

After taking official visits to Arizona State, Tulsa and California, Okafor made his commitment to the California Golden Bears. It was a dream come true for Okafor, and a moment he’s dreamed of since realizing how far football can take him. For that, he accredits his support staff for helping him get to that point.

“Without my coaches, my brother, my family and the Alief Hastings Fighting Bear football team, I wouldn’t be here,” Okafor said. “Just know we are coming for everything this year and I have a lot of kids that look up to me and I can’t let them down.”

Inspiring the younger generation is important to Okafor, as he sees himself in many younger kids in his community.

He hopes to tell younger players to keep working hard, and that everyone has a different path to greatness.

“Grind, work hard, and don’t worry about what the next person has going on because you have your own story to worry about,” Okafor said. “Keep praying and keep God in your life.”

With his recruitment now settled, Okafor plans to focus on his senior season at Hastings, putting the inspiration he preaches to those who watch him into motion.