Teammate on Prince Tega: 'That’s a grown man'
While still developing as a football player, Wanogho’s size and athleticism have impressed.
AUBURN | Prince Tega Wanogho is still learning the game of football but that hasn’t kept him from impressing his teammates and coaches this spring.
“Prince is talented,” senior defensive tackle Devaroe Lawrence said. “Everything that he do is almost effortless. It’s like, you know what I’m saying? Do he know what he just did or what he’s doing? He’s a big, fast guy. Prince is going to be good. He’s special.”
A native of Nigeria, Wanogho played one year of football at Edgewood Academy in Wetumpka, Ala., before signing with Auburn in the 2015 class. He redshirted last fall as he returned from a broken leg and a stress fracture, making it back to participate in bowl practice.
“Fun to watch because he's an athletic guy who can run real well,” Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. “He’s like a sponge. He hangs on every word you say. If he hears you talking to a linebacker he's listening. Sometimes I think, 'Is that going to clutter his thought process,' but I think he just wants to hear everything you want to say."
Wanogho has been playing defensive end and Steele want to keep him there for the time being.
“In the developmental process, cross-training a developmental player ― and I'm not saying that he's total development ― but one year of high school, limited reps since he's been here. To cross-train real early in the process can be detrimental,” Steele said.
Lawrence believes Wanogho can help Auburn this season. He’s already seen him start to make plays in practice.
“He’s strong—strong as an ox,” Lawrence said. “He just moves people easy. He just moves people easy, and he runs like a gazelle.
“That’s a grown man.”