Okereke attended and played college football at Stanford. He redshirted as a freshman in 2014.[5] He contributed on the field from 2015 to 2018. He recorded 227 total tackles (20.0 were for loss), 10.5 sacks, one interception (a 52-yard pick-six), eight passes defensed, one fumble recovery, and three forced fumbles.[6] He was named Pac-12 Honorable Mention in 2017[7] and 2018.[8]
Okereke was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the third round (89th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft.[11] The pick was announced by former Colts punter Pat McAfee. He made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers.[12] He earned his first career start in Week 3 against the Atlanta Falcons.[13] In Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans, Okereke recorded a strip sack on Ryan Tannehill which was recovered by teammate Justin Houston in the 31–17 loss. This was Okereke's first career sack in the NFL.[14] In the 2019 season, he recorded one sack, 65 total tackles, two passes defended, and two forced fumbles.[15]
In Week 5 of the 2020 season against the Cleveland Browns, Okereke recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Baker Mayfield during the 32–23 loss.[16] In the 2020 season, he recorded 72 total tackles, one interception, and six passes defended.[17]
In the 2021 season, Okereke started in all 17 games. He finished with one sack, 132 total tackles, two interceptions, and four passes defended.[18]
In the 2022 season, Okereke started in all 17 games. He finished with 151 total tackles, five passes defended, and two forced fumbles.[19]
New York Giants
On March 16, 2023, Okereke signed a four-year contract with the New York Giants.[20][21] In the 2023 NFL season, he recorded 149 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 10 passes defensed.[22] Okereke, along with teammate Xavier McKinney, were the only defenders in the NFL to not miss a snap in the entire season.[23]
Okereke was the subject of a sexual assault investigation at Stanford in 2015. Three members of the university's five-person investigative panel concluded Okereke committed sexual assault, but the ruling didn't cross the 4-1 threshold necessary to pursue further punitive action.[24] Okereke has maintained that the allegations are untrue.[25]