Dan Stickradt

Sports Scene

 

WALLED LAKE — It’s not that Adetokunbo Ogendeji is seeking gold, but seemingly everything he touches turns out to be something precious.

Ogendeji, a physical specimen at 6-foot-5, 225 pounds, is coming off a fine 2014-15 school year and enters the 2015-16 campaign as one of Michigan’s top football players.

The defensive end recently committed to Notre Dame over the summer. He had committed to Western Michigan before last season, but he blew up onto the national radar and reopened his commitment this past spring.

California, Miami (Ohio), Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Michigan, Minnesota, Toledo and Buffalo also offered the two-sport star Ogendeji a scholarship.

As a junior, Ogendeji anchored the Vikings’ defensive unit and helped them win a district championship. Walled Lake Central eventually was ousted in the regional finals (elite eight) by eventual state champion Clarkston.

Over on the basketball court, Ogendeji, who anchors the frontcourt at center, helped the Vikings make a deep run in the Class A tournament, winning league, district and regional titles and making an appearance in the state quarterfinals, just like in football. With Ogendeji suiting up, the common denominator is that the Vikings can win.

I just go out there and do what it takes to help my team win,” said Ogendeji.

Terrorize the opposition is more like it.

Last year on the grid-iron, he recorded 76 tackles with four fumble recoveries and seven knockdown passes. Opposing teams ran plays to the opposite side of the field whenever they could to keep Ogendeji from delivering some cruel punishment. He was named All-KLAA, All-Oakland County First Team, All-Metro North and All-State by some publications.

Now, he is a top 25 player by all publications in Michigan and slated for a big senior season.

I am excited about playing at Notre Dame,” said Ogendeji. “The one thing I like about the (coaching staff) is their honesty. They tell you whatever you need to do to get better.”

Ogendeji still has nine months of high school before heading to South Bend, Ind. There’s football and basketball seasons to worry about and Ogendeji has big plans.

We want to go as far as we can go,” smiled Ogendeji. “Last year we made (long tournament runs). We want to go further. I just want to be a winner. I want to beat the guy across from me. I’m a competitor.”

Perhaps there is a pot of gold awaiting Ogendeji and his Walled Lake Central teammates down the road.