Countdown to 2019 IUFB Kickoff: 51 Days (Mackenzie Nworah)

Written by Amanda Pavelka

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF: #51 MACKENZIE NWORAH

Height: 6’4”

Weight: 310 pounds

Hometown: Houston, Texas (Manvel)

Year: Redshirt Junior

Position: OL

Less than two months remain until the long-awaited 2019 Indiana football season. The Hoosiers will make their season debut at Lucas Oil Stadium where they will take on the Ball State Cardinals on August 31st in a noon game. With 51 days remaining, it is only appropriate to talk about the man who will represent the Hoosiers’ No. 51 jersey— Mackenzie Nworah.

You’ve heard his name before, but it’s been a while. In 2017, he started six games and played in ten at right guard. Indiana’s offensive player of the game in their 41-0 win over Rutgers was none other than Nworah.

Nworah’s had a knock-down, drag-out fight with injuries since then, and unfortunately had to sit out most of the 2018 season to recover. For a guy with the perfect size and frame for the offensive guard job, he was one of the most painful sights on the Hoosier bench. He traded time on the field for time in the books and ended up contributing to the IU football program’s record, being one of 29 guys to earn Academic All-Big Ten Honors in 2018.

Although no official word, Nworah’s comeback is hopeful and he’ll likely be called upon as next man up at offensive guard.