Victor Ochi. Photo by Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke / Newsday

By Jesse Friedlander
Staff Writer

Despite being projected as a fifth round pick in last week’s NFL draft, Stony Brook University’s defensive end, Victor Ochi, went undrafted. Immediately after the draft, he signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens and will compete for a roster spot this summer.

Many thought Ochi would be the first Stony Brook player to be drafted.

The 6-foot-1, 246 pound player was the Seawolves’ defensive end, but many scouts envision him as an outside linebacker in the pros due to his lack of size.

Despite being signed, Ochi has a difficult road ahead of him in order to make the Ravens’ regular season team. The team already has two of the best linebackers in football, Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs. In addition, the Ravens recruited two pass rushers in the draft.

However, if Ochi happens to make the team and plays in a regular season game, he will become the second Seawolf to do so.

The first Stony Brook graduate to accomplish this was Will Tye, who made his NFL debut this past season as the New York Giants’ tight end. He started in 7 of the 13 games he played in and recorded 42 receptions with 464 yards and three touchdowns.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper called Ochi the player to watch out for earlier in the draft process, and even said someone would get him in the third round “and get themselves a heck of a player.” Kiper said that Ochi impressed him during his pro day and the combine, and helped his draft stock. Many analysts view Baltimore as a good landing spot for Ochi, but think it will be difficult for him to find playing time. However, with two great pass rushers over 30 years-old, he has great mentors.

Ochi will enter the NFL with a chip on his back just as he came into college, after being lightly recruited out of Valley Stream Central High School in 2011.