Four-star Miami football prospects, offensive lineman Olaus Alinen and tight end Riley Williams were both praised by Cooper Petagna of 247 Sports in his review of the Under Armour Future 50 in Orlando this weekend. Alinen and Williams participated in the Future 50 with five-star Miami OT commit Francis Mauigoa.
Alinen is the 123rd ranked player, 15th offensive tackle and the top player in Connecticut for 2023 according to the 247 Sports composite rankings. Williams is 66th, the second-ranked TE and 15th in Florida for 2023. Williams transferred to IMG Academy from Portland, Oregon Central Catholic for the 2022 season.
Alinen who is originally from Finland is still learning football. Miami is building an elite OL in the 2023 class. With Mauigoa committed and the Miami football program trending for five-star OT Samson Okunlola, Alinen would likely move inside. The potential is there for Alinen to succeed Mauigoa and Okunlola eventually at OT.
Mauigoa is expected to immediately challenge to become the starting left tackle at Miami replacing Zion Nelson. Nelson is expected to forego his final year of eligibility to enter the 2023 NFL Draft. Petagna profiled the performance Alinen had at the Future 50 and his long-term projection.
"“Top247 OT Olaus Alinen struggled during the 1-on-1’s portion of the morning session. That being said, I wouldn’t be concerned about Alinen’s long term projection. The international prospect will need time…to adjust to the speed and nuances of playing offensive line but he’s a slow burn that is worth the time investment.I believe Alinen has the athletic ability to play right tackle at the next level but it might be in his best interest to move him inside to eliminate the margin of error that he’d have at the tackle position.”"
Williams is one of three TEs committed to the 2023 Miami football class. Miami also has commitments from three-star prospects Jackson Carver and Reid Mikeska. Williams is the fourth highest-rated commit to Miami for 2023 behind Mauigoa, edge rusher Jayden Wayne and quarterback Jaden Rashada.
"Miami TE commit Riley Williams had some nice moments on Saturday, showing natural suddenness in and out of breaks and the ability to develop into an ideal Y-TE for Mario Cristobal in Miami.He’s got some natural tools to work with at the position, plus a recent move to IMG Academy should only help get him collegiate ready."
Mauigoa, Wayne and Williams will be teammates at IMG this year. All three will receive better instruction and should develop quicker at IMG than in their previous programs. Williams was praised by Gabe Brooks of 247 for his ability to play on the line or flex out and with excellent run-after-the-catch ability.
At 6’6, 230 pounds, Williams will bring excellent size when he enters college. Miami projects to sign a top 10 TE for the third year in a row with Williams. Miami signed Elijah Arroyo who was seventh in the Class of 2020 and Jaleel Skinner the third-ranked TE in 2021. The future is bright for Miami at TE.