Former Oklahoma Sooners star Ogbo Okoronkwo, who earned Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2017, was released by the San Francisco 49ers on Friday.
The move marks the second time this month the 31-year-old has been cut by the 49ers, following an earlier release on October 9 to clear space for Mykel Williams’ return from the physically unable to perform list.
Reports indicate the latest transaction is likely intended to open a roster spot for wide receiver Christian Kirk to be activated from injured reserve.
For Oklahoma fans, the news is another reminder of a player whose foundation was built in Norman.
Okoronkwo, a late bloomer who didn’t seriously play organized football until high school at Alief Taylor in Houston, developed into one of the Sooners’ most disruptive edge defenders under Bob Stoops and later Lincoln Riley.
After redshirting in 2013 and contributing in limited roles in 2014-15, he broke out as a junior in 2016 with 71 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, nine sacks and two forced fumbles while earning second-team All-Big 12 honors.
His senior season in 2017 was the peak. Starting all 14 games, Okoronkwo posted roughly 75-76 tackles, 17-17.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
He shared Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors with Texas’ Malik Jefferson, earned first-team All-Big 12 recognition and was named a second-team All-American by the Associated Press (with some first-team nods from other outlets).
Over his career at Oklahoma he appeared in 46 games with 26-27 starts, finishing with 164 tackles, 21 sacks, 34.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles.
That production helped the Rams select him in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. After missing his rookie year with a foot injury, Okoronkwo carved out an eight-year career as a rotational edge rusher and depth piece.
He won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, then played for the Texans (where he recorded a career-high five sacks in 2022), Browns and Eagles before signing with San Francisco this summer, reuniting with defensive coordinator Raheem Morris. Career totals sit in the neighborhood of 86-87 games, roughly 130 tackles and 18 sacks.
With the 49ers in 2026 he has appeared in six games (one start), recording two tackles and one sack while bouncing between the active roster and practice squad.
As a vested veteran, he is not subject to waivers and could theoretically return, as he did earlier this month.
For Sooner faithful, Okoronkwo’s path illustrates the value of Oklahoma’s defensive development: a raw talent refined into a durable professional who lasted nearly a decade in the NFL despite never becoming a full-time star.
Roster churn is the nature of the business at this stage of his career, but the production and honors from Norman remain a source of pride.
