AUBURN, Ala. – Growing up in Nigeria, Prince Tega Wanogho always had the dream to play professional sports at some level. It didn't matter if it was playing basketball or playing golf. He knew he was going to be a professional one day. So he hopped on a plane and flew to America not knowing what to expect.
"I'm not going to lie. It's crazy just thinking about it," Wanogho said. "Once in a while, I sit there and reminisce about my whole journey, my whole life. Getting on the plane for the first time in my life, coming to Alabama. It's crazy. But at the same time, it's not just me. A lot of people made sacrifices for me to be here.
"Those people, that support system, those are the people that keep me going every day. It pushes me and motivates me to be a better person."
As it turned out, Wanogho's future wasn't in basketball or golf. It was in football. He picked up the sport when he moved to Alabama, played one year in high school and earned a scholarship to play at Auburn. This week, when he hears his name called in the NFL draft, it will signal the next step of his journey and the realization of his dream to play professionally.
None of it would have been possible, though, if Auburn had not given him an opportunity.
"Auburn took a chance on me," Wanogho said. "A kid from Africa playing football for a year. The whole school, the people, the whole family – they welcomed me for all five years. The coaches did a wonderful job teaching us how to be men, making sure we make the right decision every day and telling us how to work.
"If I could do it all over again, I'd go back to Auburn."
Was the ride always smooth? No. Wanogho had to sit out his first year at Auburn after suffering an injury playing basketball in high school. He moved positions, going from the defensive line to the offensive line, which made the learning curve that much steeper. But through it all, he never stopped working. He can honestly say he gave it everything he had during this time on the Plains.
And as he moves on, that's the legacy Wanogho wants to leave behind.
"I want to be remembered as that guy who always came in ready to work, put in the time – ride for my teammates, ride for my friends, family, just ride for the brand and ride for Auburn," he said.
Draft Analysis
"A three-year starter at Auburn, Wanogho lined up at left tackle in head coach Gus Malzahn's spread option offense, showing steady development each season. The Nigerian native has only been playing the sport since 2014 and moved to the offensive line in 2016 so the instinctive issues are understandable, but his intelligence and "want to" are there. Wanogho is a gifted athlete with bounce in his feet that allows for quick advantages, helping him protect the corner vs. edge speed or redirect vs. inside counters.
"Overall, Wanogho doesn't currently play with consistent timing or cohesion (and his knee issue is a question mark), but he is a toolsy prospect with NFL starting potential due to his light-footed athleticism and reliable football character."
- Dane Brugler, The Athletic
Signature Moment
Wanogho never scored a touchdown during his time at Auburn, but he felt like his touchdown came last fall against Ole Miss when he provided the assist for running back D.J. Williams to get in the end zone. It wasn't your average assist either. It was first-and-goal from the 1-yard line and when Williams was stopped at the line of scrimmage, Wanogho picked his teammate up and body slammed him across the goal line. It was the first career rushing touchdown for Williams, and in a way, it was also the first touchdown for Wanogho.