Okanlawon was born on March 4, 1979, in Lagos, Nigeria.[1] He was the second-oldest of seven children.[2] He later moved to the United States where he attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Maryland and graduated in 1998, having been named first-team all-conference and honorable mention USA TodayAll-American as a senior.[3]
Okanlawon committed to the University of Maryland and saw immediate playing time as a true freshman, making six starts and 39 tackles.[3][4] As a sophomore in 1999, he started three games and played in a total of nine, missing several games due to a pulled hamstring.[3][4][5] Okanlawon made 26 solo tackles and 31 total, while also recording three passes defended and a fumble recovery.[3]
In the season finale of the 1999 season, Okanlawon allowed Billy McMullen to score the game-winning touchdown in the final minute, which ended any hope of Maryland making the bowl game.[2] He used the play as motivation for the 2000 season and was named Maryland's most improved player in spring drills.[3] He started eleven games as a junior, making 40 tackles and his first career interception (against Virginia).[3]
As a senior, Okanlawon started the season with an interception in each of the first two games and by the end of week five, had the national lead in interceptions.[6][7] Okanlawon missed four games due to a "medical issue", which coach Ralph Friedgen said he "was not at liberty to discuss."[8] He returned for the final game of the season, starting in a loss in the Orange Bowl to Florida.[9]
Despite missing four games, Okanlawon was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) at the end of the year.[3] He finished the season with five interceptions and ten passes defended.[3] He finished his college career with 38 games played, 141 total tackles and six interceptions.[3]
Professional career
After going unselected in the 2002 NFL draft, Okanlawon was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.[10] In a preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, he returned an interception 55 yards for a touchdown to help the Chargers win 24–14.[11] He made the final roster but was inactive for the first two games, and was placed on injured reserve prior to week three, ending his season.[12]
Okanlawon was released at the final roster cuts in 2003.[13] After an injury to safetyKwamie Lassiter, he was re-signed on November 20.[14] He was inactive for each game before making his NFL debut in the 24–40 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 21.[12][15] It was the only professional game in his career.[12]
Okanlawon was waived by the Chargers on June 17, 2004.[16]
