Player Bio: Emeka Nnoli

  Emeka Nnoli
Emeka Nnoli
Player Profile
Hometown:
Sacramento, CA
High School:
Natomas HS
Height / Weight:
6-1 / 237
Position:
FB
Experience:
2003-06
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Getting To Know Emeka Nnoli
Pronunciation: uh-MEK-uh KNOLL-ee

At Stanford: Spent four seasons with the Stanford Football team (2003-06) before his career was cut short due to avascular necrosis in both of his hips that was diagnosed during 2007 training camp ... An effective blocker for both the pass and run who may be used more this season both as an inside runner and a receiver out of the backfield.
Career Statistics

The 2007 Season: Began the season with the team but retired from football due to avascular necrosis in both of his hips that was diagnosed during 2007 training camp.

The 2006 Season: Moved into the starting fullback role in the team's third game of the season after starter Nick Frank had his playing days cut short with a career-ending condition ... Started each of the team's last 10 games at fullback and contributed 49 yards rushing on 19 carries, while catching eight balls for 62 yards out of the backfield ... Had his biggest all-around contest in his final game as a reserve with three carries for 10 yards and a career-high-tying two catches for a career-high 29 yards, including a career-best 23-yard reception, at San Jose State in the second game of the season ... Picked up a career-high 12 yards on the ground on three carries at Arizona, including a season-high nine-yard run ... Ran a career-high seven times for 11 yards in Stanford's 20-3 win at Washington ... Had a career-high-tying two catches at UCLA and versus USC.
Game-By-Game Statistics

The 2005 Season: Participated in eight games off the bench, primarily on special teams.
Game-By-Game Statistics

The 2004 Season: Used in a reserve role at fullback and on special teams ... Played in five games and had one carry for five yards in The Big Game versus California.
Game-By-Game Statistics

The 2003 Season: Did not play in 2003 as a true freshman fullback.

In High School: A consensus prep All-American from Natomas High School in Sacramento who was rated as one of the top recruits in the nation ... All-American selection by PrepStar, SuperPrep, Rivals.com and Lemming's, among others ... Ranked as the No. 2 fullback in the country by Lemming's, No. 3 by SuperPrep and No. 10 by PrepStar ... Named to PrepStar's Dream Team as one of the nation's Top 100 recruits ... Ranked as the No. 1 fullback in the West by PacWest Football, No. 2 running back in the West by PrepStar, No. 14 player in California by Rivals.com and No. 18 by Lemming's ... Selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... Ran for 920 yards and 14 TDs while averaging over seven yards per carry on offense, while also accounting for 70 tackles as a linebacker in his senior season when he repeated as an All-League selection ... Ran for 1,726 yards and scored 22 TDs as a junior when he was selected First-Team All-Conference, All-League, All-City and All-State ... Accounted for over 3,100 yards rushing and 56 touchdowns as a three-year starter at running back to go along with 180 tackles ... Participated in basketball and track for two years ... U.S. Army High School All-American Scholar-Athlete ... Finalist for the Watkins Award as the nation's top African-American student-athlete.

Personal Information: Born December 25, 1984 ... A double major in Science, Technology and Society, as well as Sociology... Full name is Chukwvemeka, which means "God has been kind" in the Ibo language of Nigeria ... Member of the National Honor Society, Who's Who Among American High School Students, Who's Who in Sports and National Society of High School Scholars ... A California Scholarship Federation Lifetime Member ... Sister, Nnenna, is a Stanford graduate (Class of 2002) ... Two of his uncles are also Stanford graduates, one of whom, Professor Albert Nnoli, was team captain and an All-Conference selection in soccer in 1963 and 1964.

Getting To Know Emeka Nnoli

Nickname: Mek Mek
I would describe myself as a person as: Determined and peaceful
What people don't know about me is: I was on a swim team for two years
The reason I love football is: Its competitive nature
I pattern my play after: Jim Brown
For me to improve as a person, I need to: Stay focused on my goals
My favorite pre-game ritual is: Silence
My greatest athletic moment is: Dunking in 8th grade
The teammate I admire the most is: Michael Okwo
My favorite stadium in which to play is: Going to be the new Stanford Stadium
The toughest player I have faced in college is: The USC defense
A friend from another college football team is: Joe Rudolph (Oregon State)
The reason I chose Stanford University is: School and athletics
The best thing about Stanford is: Alumni and athletics prestige
My favorite class at Stanford is: Ancient Athletics
What sets Stanford apart from other college football programs: The players bond extremely well with each other here
The sports team I followed when I was younger: Sacramento Kings and San Francisco 49ers
When I played football as a kid, I pretended to be: Bo Jackson
The athlete I admire most is: Alonzo Mourning
The person I admire most is: Mom
The three people in history I admire most are: Jesus, Mom and Einstein
Best book I have read: Angels and Demons
Favorite Food: Pepper soup
If I had to cook all of my meals, I'd probably survive on: Hamburger helper
Favorite Movie: Scarface
Favorite TV Show: Real World
Favorite Actor: Denzel Washington
Favorite Actress: Angelina Jolie
If a movie were made of my life, I would have the following actor play me: The Rock
My ultimate SportsCenter highlight would be: Scoring the winning touchdown in the Rose Bowl
If I were not playing college football, I would be: Playing baseball
After my Stanford career, I'd like to be remembered as: A great guy
The best advice I ever received was: The present is just that - a gift
The person who had the greatest influence on my life: My parents
One moment in history I wish I could have seen: An Ali fight
The place I'd most like to visit: Brazil
The favorite place I've visited: Nigeria
Hobbies: Video games, hanging out, working out
Ten years from now, I'd like to be: Happy
My advice to youngsters: Aim for the stars
My most prized possession: Health/life
The one thing about college football I would change: To get paid

Last Updated: August 16, 2007