AFI All-Pandemic Team: WR – Alfonso Onunwor, Elecom Kobe Finies

The AFI All-Pandemic Team panel of judges had plenty of receivers to watch during the pandemic seasons this past fall but one name kept cropping up – Alfonso Onunwor – who plays for Elecom Kobe Finies in Japan’s Xleague.

In his second season in Japan with Elecom, Onunwor continued to improve and in his team’s opening game 35-28 win over IBM Big Blue he was unstoppable. He hauled in 12 passes from quarterback Cody Sokol for 251 yards and three touchdowns. He finished the three game regular season (shortened due to COVID-19) with 418 yards receiving. With soft hands and an uncanny awareness of defensive secondary positioning, the University of Idaho product was able to turn small gains into large ones. The 6’1″, 200 pound native of Cleveland, Ohio also proved time and again that he could outmuscle defensive backs. In his two years at Idaho, he had 103 receptions for 1,259 yards and nine touchdowns.

Elecom Kobe Finies quarterback Cody Sokol:

“Alfonso is a great athlete. Type of guy that takes every reception and tries to score with it. One of the best WRs I’ve played with and what really separates him from people is his football IQ. Haven’t played with many WRs with a coaches brain on the field. His ability to ready coverages, adjust his routes and attack the football makes him special. Can play inside and outside. Great teammate and someone you want on your team.”