Completed Event: Football at Temple on September 13, 2025 , Win , 42, to, 3
Final
Football
42
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3
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Nwaiwu Sets the Standard on the Line
October 24, 2025 | Football
This story appears in the Oct. 25 Ole Miss game program. Click here to purchase a souvenir copy.
T he practice field is quiet. Most of the players, coaches and support staff, even the usual groups of players who stick for extra drills, have left. But two offensive linemen are still out there, working on technique, making each other better.
Febechi Nwaiwu is in full pads, practicing his drops, working his hands and perfecting his craft with a younger teammate. This is nothing new for the redshirt senior. Hard work and discipline are traits that were instilled in him at a very young age.
Nwaiwu is all smiles off the field, always willing to help a teammate and chop it up in the locker room, but he plays football with a relentless style.
"I want to be known as a guy, who, when he's out there, he's giving 100%," Nwaiwu said. "A dominant player, a technician. Knows the assignment, knows what to do and is also a leader out there. Fourth and one and you need somewhere to go, you run behind him."
On this practice day, Nwaiwu was working with sophomore Eddy Pierre-Louis, a talented young lineman still working his way into a consistent role. The two often put in extra work to improve their game.
"Febechi is my guy," Pierre-Louis said. "He brings a good spirit every day in practice and brings a lot of energy. He's one of those guys who likes to perfect his craft and help others around him. He's turned into a leader and leads by example."
A two-year starter at right guard, Febechi Nwaiwu is OU's only offensive player to start every game over the last two seasons
N waiwu's parents were born and raised in Nigeria and moved to Texas as adults in the 1980s. Growing up, Febechi witnessed the way they operated every day, picking up on their work ethic.
"Seeing how hard they worked always motivated me to work hard," Nwaiwu said. "My parents have very high standards for me, and I think that bleeds over into the way that I play. I have very high standards for myself, and I thank my parents for that."
Nwaiwu's Nigerian heritage is important to him. He embraces the culture and attends parties with his family. They often return to visit family members still living there.
"We go home all the time," Nwaiwu said. "I love my Nigerian culture."
Nwaiwu's hard-nosed style of play was evident early in his football career at Coppell High School in Texas, but he flew under the recruiting radar. He received a scholarship offer from Illinois State and some walk-on offers, but after speaking with his coaches, decided instead to take a chance on himself and walk on at the nearby University of North Texas.
"I almost quit, but I'm forever grateful and forever thankful that they influenced me to keep going and to try the walk-on route," Nwaiwu said. "The walk-on route made me the man I am today."
Once at UNT, he called back to the work ethic instilled by his parents to create playing opportunities for himself. He knew his only chance to play was to outwork the players in front of him.
"I knew that going into college, I had to do whatever it took to get a scholarship and to even get an opportunity," Nwaiwu said.
His efforts paid off. He started 12 games as a redshirt freshman, earning second-team Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic and Conference USA All-Freshman Team recognition. He was selected as a team captain the following year.
"Being a captain meant everything to me," Nwaiwu said "Having the captain title put on you is a great responsibility, especially coming from the position I came from as a walk-on, I don't take that for granted."
After the 2023 season ended, Nwaiwu once again bet on himself and entered his name into the transfer portal. He weighed his options and decided to attend Oklahoma, attracted not only by the coaching staff, but also by the environment around the university.
"Coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh is an insanely good coach, one of the best in the country," Nwaiwu said. "I love Norman and the fans. One of the best parts is the support they give. You walk on the street, and they know your name. I love that."
Nwaiwu reciprocated that love with a stellar 2024 season, starting in all 13 games for the Sooners at right guard. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after OU's win over No. 7 Alabama in which the Sooners rushed for 257 yards.
This season, Nwaiwu is taking on the new challenge of being a leader. As the offensive line's most consistent starter over the last two seasons – he is OU's only offensive player to start every game since the beginning of the 2024 campaign – his experience provides valuable perspective for teammates.
"From last year to this year, the change he's made has been a complete 180," redshirt senior Troy Everett said. "He's taking care of his body better, the way he's leading, the way he's attacking film and practice. He's shown he really wants to go to the next level and he's taking other people with him."
Nwaiwu's attention to detail even extends beyond football to fragrances. From soaps, lotions and colognes to candles, incense, wall plug-ins and detergents, he likes to smell good and feel clean. He favors fresh and sweet scents, such as vanilla and citrus notes. He and Pierre-Louis even have a little competition going for who can smell better.
"Two of my favorite compliments are 'You smell good' and 'I like your smile,'" Nwaiwu said. "I try to make my house always smell good. I like to make sure my house is clean, so when I come home, I walk into a nice, clean area and I can just relax."
Around the football facility, Nwaiwu is recognized by the beaming smile he carries daily. His favorite moments are the times in the locker room hanging out with teammates.
"There's no better place than the locker room," Nwaiwu said. "You get to really connect with people from all walks of life and you make connections that last a lifetime."
For the remainder of his senior season, Nwaiwu aims to be the dependable, dominant player he knows he can be. He switches off the smile as soon as his cleats hit the grass.
"I just want to be a terror to the defense," Nwaiwu said. "I want to be the most consistent player out there, not only in my technique and my effort, but in my steady improvement. I want to be consistently improving throughout the season and consistently leading guys and consistently elevating all of my teammates."
T he practice field is quiet. Most of the players, coaches and support staff, even the usual groups of players who stick for extra drills, have left. But two offensive linemen are still out there, working on technique, making each other better.
Febechi Nwaiwu is in full pads, practicing his drops, working his hands and perfecting his craft with a younger teammate. This is nothing new for the redshirt senior. Hard work and discipline are traits that were instilled in him at a very young age.
Nwaiwu is all smiles off the field, always willing to help a teammate and chop it up in the locker room, but he plays football with a relentless style.
"I want to be known as a guy, who, when he's out there, he's giving 100%," Nwaiwu said. "A dominant player, a technician. Knows the assignment, knows what to do and is also a leader out there. Fourth and one and you need somewhere to go, you run behind him."
On this practice day, Nwaiwu was working with sophomore Eddy Pierre-Louis, a talented young lineman still working his way into a consistent role. The two often put in extra work to improve their game.
"Febechi is my guy," Pierre-Louis said. "He brings a good spirit every day in practice and brings a lot of energy. He's one of those guys who likes to perfect his craft and help others around him. He's turned into a leader and leads by example."
A two-year starter at right guard, Febechi Nwaiwu is OU's only offensive player to start every game over the last two seasons
N waiwu's parents were born and raised in Nigeria and moved to Texas as adults in the 1980s. Growing up, Febechi witnessed the way they operated every day, picking up on their work ethic.
"Seeing how hard they worked always motivated me to work hard," Nwaiwu said. "My parents have very high standards for me, and I think that bleeds over into the way that I play. I have very high standards for myself, and I thank my parents for that."
Nwaiwu's Nigerian heritage is important to him. He embraces the culture and attends parties with his family. They often return to visit family members still living there.
"We go home all the time," Nwaiwu said. "I love my Nigerian culture."
Nwaiwu's hard-nosed style of play was evident early in his football career at Coppell High School in Texas, but he flew under the recruiting radar. He received a scholarship offer from Illinois State and some walk-on offers, but after speaking with his coaches, decided instead to take a chance on himself and walk on at the nearby University of North Texas.
"I almost quit, but I'm forever grateful and forever thankful that they influenced me to keep going and to try the walk-on route," Nwaiwu said. "The walk-on route made me the man I am today."
Once at UNT, he called back to the work ethic instilled by his parents to create playing opportunities for himself. He knew his only chance to play was to outwork the players in front of him.
"I knew that going into college, I had to do whatever it took to get a scholarship and to even get an opportunity," Nwaiwu said.
His efforts paid off. He started 12 games as a redshirt freshman, earning second-team Freshman All-America honors from The Athletic and Conference USA All-Freshman Team recognition. He was selected as a team captain the following year.
"Being a captain meant everything to me," Nwaiwu said "Having the captain title put on you is a great responsibility, especially coming from the position I came from as a walk-on, I don't take that for granted."
After the 2023 season ended, Nwaiwu once again bet on himself and entered his name into the transfer portal. He weighed his options and decided to attend Oklahoma, attracted not only by the coaching staff, but also by the environment around the university.
"Coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh is an insanely good coach, one of the best in the country," Nwaiwu said. "I love Norman and the fans. One of the best parts is the support they give. You walk on the street, and they know your name. I love that."
Nwaiwu reciprocated that love with a stellar 2024 season, starting in all 13 games for the Sooners at right guard. He was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week after OU's win over No. 7 Alabama in which the Sooners rushed for 257 yards.
This season, Nwaiwu is taking on the new challenge of being a leader. As the offensive line's most consistent starter over the last two seasons – he is OU's only offensive player to start every game since the beginning of the 2024 campaign – his experience provides valuable perspective for teammates.
"From last year to this year, the change he's made has been a complete 180," redshirt senior Troy Everett said. "He's taking care of his body better, the way he's leading, the way he's attacking film and practice. He's shown he really wants to go to the next level and he's taking other people with him."
Nwaiwu is always smiling and friendly off the field but aims to be a dominant presence on the offensive line.
"Two of my favorite compliments are 'You smell good' and 'I like your smile,'" Nwaiwu said. "I try to make my house always smell good. I like to make sure my house is clean, so when I come home, I walk into a nice, clean area and I can just relax."
Around the football facility, Nwaiwu is recognized by the beaming smile he carries daily. His favorite moments are the times in the locker room hanging out with teammates.
"There's no better place than the locker room," Nwaiwu said. "You get to really connect with people from all walks of life and you make connections that last a lifetime."
For the remainder of his senior season, Nwaiwu aims to be the dependable, dominant player he knows he can be. He switches off the smile as soon as his cleats hit the grass.
"I just want to be a terror to the defense," Nwaiwu said. "I want to be the most consistent player out there, not only in my technique and my effort, but in my steady improvement. I want to be consistently improving throughout the season and consistently leading guys and consistently elevating all of my teammates."
Players Mentioned
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