Second Badgers Player Shares Famous No. 16

One of the main reasons the University of Wisconsin is in the Rose Bowl is because of transfer quarterback Russell Wilson.

While it’s incredible what this player who wears No. 16 on his jersey has been able to do in just one season, but he isn’t the only No. 16 that means something to Madison.

Surely, whoever is the starting quarterback at Wisconsin next year will have big shoes to fill, but what if there’s another player who is wearing No. 16 on this year’s team? Now, that can be tough

At first glance at the Badgers at practice, it might look like Wilson is making a tackle on special teams. But no, it’s actually Chukwuma Offor, a fifth-year senior walk-on from Madison La Follette High School.

Offor said that the confusion has happened before.

“Last year, Scott (Tolizen) and I didn’t have any problems, but I guess, I look a little more like Russell. But, he came up to me at the beginning of the year saying, ‘You know, we are both going to have 16 this year if that’s OK.’ And I was like, ‘Well, it doesn’t really mean anything to me.’ I play special teams a majority of the time so I figured it’s no big deal, but the first game, I come out onto the field and everyone thinks I’m Russell.”

His teammates simply call him “Chew-ma.” He is the fifth of six children and his parents emigrated from Nigeria. He said his name has a special significance.

“It means ‘God knows,'” he said. “My parents are very religious so that is why they picked it out for me, and all my siblings’ names have religious meanings.”

While Offor might not be the more famous player who wears No. 16, he said his time at Wisconsin has meant a lot

“Being able to be a walk-on was truly such a blessing,” he said. “The fact that Coach (Bret Bielema) gave me the opportunity, and the fact that he believed in me. And just the experience with all these guys, it’s been second to none. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the in the world, and I’m glad I was a part of it.”

Offor is a two-time academic all-Big Ten selection. He will graduate with a degree in finance and human resources. He said he plans to attend law school at UW.