A Munich, Germany native, Okoronkwo spent most of his early life playing soccer and doing gymnastics — which even he admits now was a bit odd. The same height that made Okoronkwo a soccer goalkeeper made it nearly impossible to be any good at high-level gymnastics.

Justin Okoronkwo, a linebacker who played for Alabama as a true freshman during the 2024 season, has committed to coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks, he announced on social media Friday. “New Home !!!” he wrote in a post that included an edited photo of him wearing a South Carolina jersey.

He is the second transfer defensive tackle to commit to the Gamecocks this cycle, joining Texas A&M transfer Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy. That pair will have a chance to start immediately with the departure of South Carolina’s top three defensive tackles — TJ Sanders, Tonka Hemingway and Alex Huntley — from 2024.