Most of the other teams with top 10 picks did, too. But Okoye believed the Falcons since his college coach, Bobby Petrino, had just taken over in Atlanta.

Then the Falcons passed on the defensive tackle at No. 8, and the Texans got him with the 10th pick in a move that taught Okoye an important lesson about the NFL.

"It sunk in that day that this is the NFL and it is a business," he said. "Their heart's not really involved in it. Everybody's got to do what they've got to do, and it wasn't any hard feelings or anything like that."

Okoye will get to play in front of his former coach Sunday when the Falcons host the Texans.

Listening to Petrino, who coached Okoye for four years at Louisville, it's clear his feelings toward Okoye had nothing to do with the decision.

"I loved Amobi," Petrino said. "He was a fun guy to coach. He always came to work with a big smile on his face and a great attitude. We watched him grow up. We brought him in at 15 years old and watched him grow up and mature. He's not only a great football player, but he's a great person."

Petrino said it was difficult not to draft Okoye, but the team needed a defensive end, not a tackle. The Falcons chose Arkansas end Jamaal Anderson.

Okoye said he learned a lot from Petrino and knows the coach will be successful in the NFL, despite Atlanta's 0-3 start.

"He's a heck of a coach, man," Okoye said. "I know what he emphasizes, what he likes to get done. In college, he carried the team just like a professional team, wanted us to handle ourselves like we were in the pros. I know everything he's capable of."

Since Petrino brought many of his assistants with him to the Falcons, Okoye said it will be nice to see all those familiar faces Sunday. It's that thought that excites him about the game, not any lingering anger over the draft-day snub.

"I wouldn't say it's extra motivation," Okoye said. "Even without them telling me they were going to draft me and then didn't draft me, I'd still be extra motivated to go play them because I know a lot of people over there and I'm going against like my old family."

So far, Okoye hasn't needed any extra motivation after getting three sacks in his first two games, including two key takedowns in Houston's come-from-behind win over Carolina two weeks ago. Houston drafted him to improve its pass rush and so far he's been just what the Texans expected.

He joined a line that includes last year's top overall pick in Mario Williams and 2005 first-round selection Travis Johnson.

Petrino wasn't able to keep up with Okoye's progress through the first three games, but got reacquainted with his work Tuesday.

"I didn't sleep well last night because I've been watching video of him all day yesterday," Petrino said. "He's certainly playing well. He's been very active and has done a nice job rushing the quarterback."

He isn't surprised by Okoye's early success after witnessing his smooth transition to college football as a 16-year-old. At 20, Okoye is the youngest man to play in the NFL in 40 years.

"We did bring him in and we felt like he was so young we needed to redshirt him," Petrino said. "After the first 10 days of practice, he was our third-best defensive tackle. So we felt like it was time to play him."

Okoye, who said he hasn't spoken to Petrino since the draft, isn't sure how he'll feel seeing him again, but doesn't want to "predetermine the feeling." Regardless of how he wanted things to go on draft day, he now believes it worked out for the best.