Miami football 2023 class third with Samson Okunlola commitment
The commitment of five-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola elevated the 2023 Miami football class to third nationally. Miami began the day with the sixth-ranked class in the country. Adding Okunola to the 2023 class makes Miami the only program with Alabama, Texas and USC to have three five-star 2023 commits.
Miami previously received commitments from five-star cornerback Cormani McClain and OT Francis Mauigoa. Miami is the only program nationally with five-star commits at the same position with Mauigoa and Okunlola. Miami last had two five-star commits in the same class with James Williams and Leonard Taylor.
Mario Cristobal has prioritized the offensive and defensive lines since being hired as head coach in December 2021. Okunlola is the fifth OL committed to the 2023 Miami football class that he will anchor with Mauigoa. Per David Lake of Inside the U, Miami is the sixth program to sign two five-star OL in the same class.
Texas signed two five-star OL in their 2022 class, Alabama did so in 2021, Tennessee in 2019, Georgia in 2018 and Stanford in 2017. One of the two Alabama 2021 five-star OL signees, Tommy Brockermeyer is in the 2023 transfer portal. Miami significantly improves the talent on their OL with Mauigoa and Okunlola.
Mauigoa and Okunlola will have a chance to compete for snaps and a starting position in 2023. Miami could elect to move Mauigoa or Okunlola inside with the return of Zion Nelson who missed the entire 2022 season with an injury. The departure of senior D.J. Scaife leaves right tackle with an open competition for 2023.
Starting left tackle John Campbell who replaced Nelson entered the transfer portal earlier this week. Miami does not have a lot of experience at tackle behind Nelson. Miami is the consensus projected leader for Alabama transfer OL Javion Cohen who has over 50 starts in his career with the Crimson Tide.
Next. Miami could be leading for Alabama transfer OL Javion Cohen. dark
Okunlola is the 20th player, third OT and the top-ranked player in Massachusetts in the class of 2023 in the 247 Sports composite rankings. Miami now has five players ranked in the 247 Sports composite top 100 players for 2023. With Mauigoa and McClain, Miami has four-stars edge rushes Rueben Bain and Jayden Wayne.