Elite OT Samson Okunlola names top 9
Four-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola of Brockton (Mass.) Thayer Academy has narrowed his list to nine schools— Oregon, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Penn State, Ohio State, Miami, and Michigan State.
The 6-foot-6, 305 pounder went in-depth on his finalists.
Oregon
“Oregon is a big program,” Okunlola said. “I love the O-Line coach and the people down there when I took a visit. I also love the education and the branding side of it as well.”
Oklahoma
“Oklahoma is another good offensive line school,” Okunlola said. “I love talking to coach (Bill) Bedenbaugh, I have a great relationship with him. Also, it’s a really big school.”
Alabama
“The standard there stands out to me,” Okunlola said. “The standard of winning, competing at a high-level, and you have great players around you that are always looking to bring you up.”
Georgia
“Georgia just came off of winning the natty,” Okunlola said. “I love what they have going on down there. I like the O-Line group that they have, with two GA’s and the offensive line coach.”
Florida
“They have two great offensive line coaches, and I love the head coach,” Okunlola said. “I have built really good relationships with them.”
Penn State
“Me and coach Franklin have built a great relationship,” Okunlola said. “I really love the school as a whole and I like the class that they are building.”
Ohio State
“The coaches down there are great and the school as a whole has amazing education.”
Miami
“I love the new coaches that they got down there,” Okunlola said. “The players are pretty cool too, I got to talk to a couple of them.”
Michigan State
“Michigan State has a really good program,” Okunlola said. “I really like Mel Tucker, and coach Cap. They have a really good environment and overall education as well.”
Samson Okunlola Scouting Summary
“Aggressive offensive lineman with nimble movement skills and a positive athletic profile,” On3’s Director of Scouting Charles Power wrote. “Has plus length for the position at 6-foot-5, 295 pounds with a 6-foot-10.5 wing-span. Has shown good short area quickness in the camp setting. Also spends time as a wrestler and thrower in the shot put. Plays both ways at his high school as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. Has some dominant flashes, particularly as a run blocker. Moves well to the second level, locating and blowing up linebackers on contact. Finishes blocks at a high rate and works to plant defenders into the turf. Shows similar emphatic finishing ability on defense, where he suplexes ball carriers at times. Plays low and understands leverage.”
“Will need to continue developing his pass set technique. Could also stand to improve his ankle flexion a bit. Faces subpar competition and may need some time to adjust to the uptick in talent level once in college.”
Okunlola ranks as the No. 49 player in the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that accounts for all four major recruiting sites. He also tabs in as the No. 4 offensive tackle and the second-best player in the state of Massachusetts.