Recruiting expert expects Samson Okunlola immediate impact

Five-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola will be a future anchor of the Miami offensive line with fellow 2023 five-star OT signee Francis Mauigoa. Okunlola impressed at the All-American Bowl last week. Steve Wiltfong the Director of Football Recruiting for 247 Sports expects Okunlola to make an immediate impact for Miami.

Mauigoa and Okunlola are the top two 2023 Miami signees and the first and third OTs in the 2023 class. Okunlola is the 20th-ranked signee and top player in Massachusetts in the Class of 2023. Mauigoa and Okunlola could be part of an entirely new OL for Miami in 2023. Miami could have five new OL starters in 2023.

Brian Dohn a 247 Sports national recruiting expert praises Samson Okunlola as moving his feet well and quickly with consistent hand placement, that he moves well laterally and shows his athleticism when pulling, Okunlola is further ahead as a pass blocker but projects as a multi-year starter and a future first-round pick.

At 6’5, 305 pounds Okunlola has a body ready to compete in college. Miami could move Okunlola inside early in his collegiate career with the potential to anchor the Miami line at the second most important position on offense, left tackle. Zion Nelson returns for Miami at LT after missing the entire 2022 season with a knee injury.

"“As the second-year Hurricanes head coach works to build his alma mater back into a championship contender…he’s going to be able to count on in five-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola.The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Okunlola is one of the jewels of a Miami class that ranks No. 4 nationally, the highest-rated Hurricanes class in 247Sports history dating back to 2010. He was one of the most consistent, if not thee most consistent, performer at his position during the week of practice.Okunlola was a steady force at the point of attack, quick-twitched with good feet, a strong run blocker who seems to always have good leverage, Okunlola looked like a day one starter for Cristobal and company and a very important foundational piece for the trajectory of the program.”Okunlola said “Our class can really propel what Miami is going to mean in the coming years…What we do for the next one to two, two to three years, will paint what Miami is in the coming years.”"

Head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal have done an exceptional job rebuilding Miami upfront entering the 2023 season. Its possible none of the starters on the Miami OL in the season finale versus Pittsburgh will start in the 2023 season opener versus Miami (Ohio).

Nelson projects as the starting LT, Jalen Rivers will return at left guard after missing a lot of the 2022 season, Central Florida transfer Matt Lee will challenge Jakai Clark at center and Clark could potentially move to right guard with Mauigoa or Okunola at right tackle. In one offseason Miami has rebuilt the OL.