World News – USA – Temple DL Transfer Ifeanyi Maijeh speaks about Rutger’s engagement

Even though Ifeanyi Maijeh had gone into the transfer portal just the day before, there was a reason the earlier temple defense device could find one so quickly at Rutgers’ home.

The one-time Brooklyn Poly Prep prospect, who officially visited Rutgers while he was in school, has cousins ​​on the team, including lead tackler Olakunle Fatukasi and freshman offensive lineman Tunde Fatukasi.

« It has a chance of being on a defense similar to Temple’s. So it feels like I fit in right there, « said the 6-foot-3,290-pound mayeh. « Playing with people like Olakunle or (security) Christian Izien, some people I know from home, is like a whole family there. « 

He signed with the Scarlet Knights on Friday and was announced by coach Greg Schiano that he was in class. He starts classes on Tuesday when the winter session begins. Miami, Boston College, and UCF were among the other schools to reach.

Maijeh is a graduate transfer, which means that he is qualified for the 2021 season and has two more years to go.

« I thought about my family and how far it was to Philly, » he said. « It’s now a shorter path for my father and brother if they want to come to games. That played a role. « 

Maijeh has been recruited to Temple by Rutgers defensive trainer Jim Panagos and Rutgers defensive trainer Fran Brown. Now he really wants to show him how much development has taken place.

Panagos left Temple for Minnesota after the 2018 season, and Maijeh didn’t have his breakout season until 2019.

« It will be an interesting experience, » said Maijeh. « When I first played for him, I couldn’t do that much because I had so many seniors in front of me. I feel like I’m playing for coach Panagos again, he sees the player I’ve developed into. « 

« I could see what their defense looked like, » he said. « I know that coach (Greg) Schiano brings guys with him, and he’s helping with development and preparing them for the NFL. My cousin Olakunle told me that he is very close to coach Schiano and that he is great, he is a spiritual man. His faith is strong.

« And just like he created the program earlier, he’ll just get Rutgers to the top. « 

Maijeh visited Rutgers when he was a senior at Brooklyn Poly Prep, but his offer wasn’t renewed at the time and he got involved with the Owls shortly afterwards. He enlisted for Temple in the 2017 class and became one of the Owls’ top defenders in 2019 when he completed 52 tackles including 6 1/2 sacks. He has played 15 tackles in seven games this season.

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