Detroit Lions, former Memphis OL Obinna Eze praises Tigers football on HBO's 'Hard Knocks'

Obinna Eze transferred from Memphis after the 2020 season but the offensive lineman still has a big heart for the city.

On the season premiere of HBO's "Hard Knocks", Eze, who signed with the Detroit Lions as a undrafted free agent, didn't regret signing with the Tigers in 2017 as a four-star recruit. It was a shock to fellow rookie and No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, who sat next to him in a cold tub.

"You had every offer and you're going to Memphis," Hutchinson said.

"Bro, don't say that. Memphis is not that bad," Eze said. "The typical person would not go to Memphis but I wasn't a typical person. I'm just a kid from Nigeria. If I had to do it all over again, I would still go to Memphis."

Hutchinson joked Eze should've come to Michigan like he did. Eze laughed and said "I'm still true to Memphis."

Eze emigrated to the United States in 2015 before his junior season as a basketball player. He never played football but quickly learned and spent his final season on varsity.

He committed to Memphis over offers from Alabama, Michigan and other SEC schools after meeting coach Ryan Silverfield, who was then the offensive line coach. Eze spent four seasons at Memphis and started at left tackle in 2019-20 before transferring to TCU.

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The comments drew praise on social media, including former Memphis coach Mike Norvell, now at Florida State.

"Always comes down to Fit & Family. Grateful for those who I have got to be on the journey with," Norvell said on Twitter. "Obinna is a special young man, excited to see his dreams becoming a reality! #KeepCLIMBing."

Memphis fans can keep up with Eze's journey towards making the Lions each Tuesday for the next four weeks at 9 p.m. on HBO or HBO Max.

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You can reach Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_B) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Detroit Lions' Obinna Eze praises Memphis football on 'Hard Knocks'