PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Former Lamar University standout defensive end Joe Okafor signed a free agent contract with the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers Friday afternoon. The Steelers placed Clifton Geathers on injured reserve which opened a spot to sign Okafor placing him on the 90-man roster.
 
"I'm real excited to have this opportunity," said Okafor. "I actually got the call yesterday, so I had to grab my stuff and get over here as fast as I could. I had gotten to the point where I felt like maybe my time had passed and I missed my shot.
 
"When I got here I signed the contract, and they put me on the 90-man roster so now it's up to me to prove what I can do. Everyone wants to hear their name get called during the draft but in the end all you can ask for is an opportunity and that is what I've been given," added Okafor.
 
Okafor started on the Cardinals defensive line for three seasons, after transferring from Oklahoma State. A versatile athlete, Okafor was moved to tackle as a junior before being moved back to the outside for his senior season. The move was a productive one as Okafor received 2014 Honorable Mention All-Southland Conference recognition after finishing among the league leaders in sacks and tackles for losses.
 
He played in 35 games during his career, earning 24 starts and recording 68 career tackles, including 32 solo stops. Among his 68 tackles, 13.5 came behind the line of scrimmage, including eight sacks and three quarterback hurries.
 
Despite losing a lot of starters from the year before, Okafor was a leader on a defense that ranked among the league leaders in 2014. He ended the year with 28 tackles, including six sacks as the Cardinals went on to tie a school record for wins.
 
"I think it is a great fit for Joe," said LU defensive line coach Carey Bailey. "He will be used to their terminology and schemes. I spoke with Mike (Tomlin) a while back and I'm glad Joe has been given this opportunity."
 
The Steelers will face the Minnesota Vikings Sunday at 8 p.m. on NBC in the Hall of Fame Game from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
 
-LU-