Samson Okunlola named top 20 potential breakout player
Redshirt freshman Samson Okunlola is competing to be a starter on the Miami offensive line after playing only three games in 2023 because of a season-ending knee injury. Blake Brockmeyer of 247Sports included Okunlola in his article "Forecasting breakout chances for 20 college football players on the clock."
Brockermeyer pointed out Okunlola was a five-star 2023 offensive tackle signee for Miami with Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa lived up to his rating being named a 2023 freshman All-American. Okunlola is competing in training camp to likely be the starting left guard for Miami in 2024.
Junior college transfer Markel Bell and redshirt sophomore Matthew McCoy are the primary competition for Okunlola to be the starting left guard for Miami in 2024. Okunlola should be considered the favorite to be the starting left guard for Miami in 2024.
Mauigoa and Jalen Rivers return as the starting tackles and Anez Cooper is the returning starter at right guard. Indiana transfer Zach Carpenter will be the starting center for Miami in 2024. Left guard will be by far the most inexperienced position on the 2024 Miami offensive line.
"SAMSON OKUNLOLA, OT, MIAMI
- Blake Brockermeyer, 247Sports.
Snaps: 30
Samson Okunlola got 30 reps as a freshman at left tackle. I do not project him to play tackle but (I) could see him competing for one of the guard spots...Okunlola...has kind of been the forgotten man. Can Mario Christobal (Sic) and Alex Mirabal get him right, or is he a miss? This season will be critical to his future at Miami.
Breakout potential this year: Moderate chance"
If Okunlola becomes the starting left guard he has a chance for a breakout season on what is projected to be one of the best offensive lines nationally. Pro Football Focus ranks Miami as having the eighth best offensive line nationally entering the 2024 season. PFF states Okunlola as the starting left guard.
How well Okunlola grades out from PFF will impact his breakout status. Miami has the talent to be an elite offense in 2024. Okunlola doesn't have to have a breakout season to be a key player for Miami in 2024. Miami needs Okunlola to be a consistent performer at LG and to stay healthy.
Next. Left guard position to watch for Miami during training camp. Left guard position to watch for Miami during training camp. dark
Okunlola has a season to learn on the Miami offensive line. As a five-star signee in 2023, Okunlola was projected as a future NFL first-round pick. After redshirting in 2023, Okunlola has four seasons of eligibility remaining. Okunlola is eligible for the NFL Draft in 2026.