Moses Okpala

Pronunciation: oak-PAH-la

Three-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN
Ranked No. 649 recruit in the nation by 247Sports
Ranked No. 37 strong side defensive end in the nation by Rivals and No. 47 by 247Sports
Ranked No. 38 defensive end in the nation by ESPN
Ranked No. 7 recruit in Missouri by Rivals and ESPN and No. 12 by 247Sports
No. 48 recruit in Illinois’ last 19 years according to 247Sports
Four-year letterwinner in football and basketball
Played for head coaches Mike Tarpey and Chad Anderson and Ladue
Led Ladue Horton Watkins to 2018 Missouri Class 4 state title as a senior and 2017 state runner-up finish
0.5 TFL and one QB hurry in the 2018 Missouri Class 4 state title game
2018 USA TODAY All-USA Missouri first team
Two-time all-state defensive end
Four-year Honor Roll member
Four-year Ram Pride Award recipient
National Honor Society
Verbally committed to Illinois in November 2018
Offers included Arkansas, Iowa State, Kentucky, Michigan State, Minnesota, Mississippi State, Missouri, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ole Miss, Purdue, Vanderbilt, Virginia, and Wisconsin

Born Sept. 19, 1999
Son of Moses E. Okpala and Ngozi Okpala
American parents are Kim and Gary Bussard
Five brothers, Chinedu Okpala, Chukwuebuka Okpala, Goodluck Okpala, Godsgift Okpala and Bryce Bussard, and three sisters, Onyinye Okpala, Haley Bussard and McKenzie Bussard.
Nicknamed “Big Mo”
Picked Illinois because, “The academics, the coaches and a welcoming environment.”
Only played basketball before coming to the United States
Plans to become a lawyer following playing career
Majoring in psychology