Byron Nelson linebacker Eze Osondu named Fort Worth-area Defensive Player of the Year
Introducing the Fort Worth-area Defensive Player of the Year: Trophy Club Byron Nelson linebacker and Cal commit Eze Osondu.
The Star-Telegram is releasing Texas high school football awards daily until the release of the Fort Worth All-Area Team on Sunday. On Wednesday, North Crowley’s Ray Gates was named the Fort Worth-area Coach of the Year. On Thursday, Aledo quarterback Hauss Hejny was named the Offensive Player of the Year.
Byron Nelson had a program-defining season in 2023, becoming an undeniable Fort Worth-area powerhouse. Head coach Travis Pride and the Bobcats reached the Class 6A D2 quarterfinal, where they were eliminated by Southlake Carroll.
The Dragons may have gotten the win when it mattered most, but that doesn’t take away the Bobcats’ significant regular-season accomplishment. Byron Nelson stunned Southlake Carroll at Northwest ISD Stadium to claim its first district championship in program history.
It was the first time Southlake Carroll lost a district game since head coach Riley Dodge’s hiring. Defeating the Dragons in the regular season was a tall, improbable task, but Byron Nelson and Osondu got the job done to create one of the most memorable Fort Worth-area football moments of the year.
“The coaches told us that we need to be more physical and that we had to win our own battles,” Osondu said. “Carroll knew a lot of good schemes on how to get us pushed out of certain gaps to where it’s only gonna be one, maybe two of us.”
Osondu said the Bobcats, with team speed, tried to limit Southlake Carroll from spreading the field and running in certain zones. The game plan worked, and Osondu and the Bobcats limited Southlake Carroll to 103 rushing yards and forced three interceptions.
Leading a talented unit
Osondu was one of the pillars of a Byron Nelson defense filled with talent. He averaged 5.5 tackles per game and led the team with 13 tackles for loss and four sacks en route to winning the District 4-6A Defensive MVP Award.
The team, during the preseason, knew they had the potential to be the best squad in District 4-6A and the expectations were high. Osondu said all they needed to do was prove it game by game, and the Bobcats went on to win 13 consecutive games.
Linebacker coach Michael Johnson and defensive coordinator Zach Woodward had a straightforward conversation with Osondu and told him what needed to happen for the Bobcats to succeed. He credited them with improving his game and making sure the entire unit was ready.
Osondu played defensive line early on in his high school career. He transitioned to linebacker and put together a strong senior season, leading a feared Byron Nelson defense.
“Being able to meet the gaps, reading counters, reading all those run block schemes,” Osondu said of his game. “I’d say that was a very big part of my game and a very big strength of my game.”
Byron’s Nelson’s secondary is filled with division one recruits: Oklahoma State commit David Kabongo, Tulsa commit Ashton Williams and BYU commit Jonathan Kabeya. Osondu said if the defensive front does its job, he had complete trust in the secondary to get the job done.
“You better not throw it,” Osondu said. “Because the boys are coming for that ball. We have ball hawks.”
The entire team came together, holding opponents to 17 or less points in nine games. The talent helped, but Osondu said it’s not what made Byron Nelson’s defense special.
“Brotherhood as a defense and our brotherhood as a team is what really carried us,” Osondu said. “And it really kept us together when the hard times came around.”
The next chapter: California football
Osondu will continue his football career in Berkley with the California Golden Bears. With his high school football career behind him, he’s “excited for the journey” of college football.
“And about the things that come with it in general,” Osondu said. “The most exciting part is seeing where I end up. Seeing if my dreams come true. I want to go all the way to the league.”
After a phenomenal senior season, Osondu recognizes he still has a lot of room to learn and grow.
“I’m working on getting a little bit bigger because I know when he gets to that next level, there will be dudes that have been there for a couple of years now,” Osondu said. “I’ve already been lifting, so I say one of the biggest things I need to do is get bigger, continue to maintain my speed and just get better with my eyes in the pass game.”
Osondu said the victory over Southlake Carroll is a “great memory” but that his favorites include watching film, eating a home cooked meal at a coaches’ house and hanging out with his teammates.
“Moments like those away from football where we can connect to the family,” Osondu said. “Those were my favorite.”
This story was originally published January 12, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
.jpg)