Miami Hurricanes 50-1 Countdown: Ranking the top 50 post-spring players … No. 26 Samson Okunlola
The Miami Hurricanes have massively reshaped the roster from a year ago with five primary offensive starters gone (QB Tyler Van Dyke, RB Henry Parrish, WR Colbie Young, OL Javion Cohen and Matt Lee) along with seven on the defensive side (DT Leonard Taylor, DT Branson Deen, DL Jared Harrison-Hunte, S Kam Kinchens, S James Williams, CB Jaden Davis and CB Te’Cory Couch).
50. RB JORDAN LYLE … 49. RB CHRISTOPHER JOHNSON … 48. DE COLE MCCONATHY … 47. S ZAQUAN PATTERSON … 46. TE CAM MCCORMICK … 45. NY CARR … 44. JUSTIN SCOTT … 43. OT Markel Bell … 42. RB AJAY ALLEN … 41. TE RILEY WILLIAMS … 40. OL MATTHEW MCCOY … 39. LB CAM PRUITT … 38. DT JOSHUA HORTON … 37. LB RAUL AGUIRRE … 36. S MARKEITH WILLIAMS … 35. S JADEN HARRIS … 34. QB EMORY WILLIAMS … 33. WR JOJO TRADER … 32. D’YONI HILL … 31. RAY RAY JOSEPH … 30. ISAIAH HORTON … 29. MARLEY COOK … 28. JAYLIN ALDERMAN … 27. JADAIS RICHARD
Which brings us to our annual series breaking down the top 50 players on the current roster. As we go along on this list you’ll get an idea of the overall depth of talent on Mario Cristobal’s team this year as he seeks Miami’s second 10-win season in the last two decades.
Today we are at No. 26:
NO. 26 OL Samson Okunlola
A five-star signee in the Class of 2023, Okunlola was a key depth piece early last season before he suffered a torn MCL in Game 4 and missed the rest of the season. He looked no worse for wear this spring, though, working in with the ones at left guard. That’s the spot left vacant by Javion Cohen’s departure, and the team has four other starters already pretty much penciled in – Jalen Rivers, Anez Cooper, Francis Mauigoa and Indiana center transfer Zach Carpenter. So Okunlola will have every chance to earn the starting job as a redshirt freshman, with the other main competition OG Matthew McCoy and JUCO OT Markel Bell (the team also could move Mauigoa to guard depending on who the best five are). A 6-6, 327-pounder, Okunlola has the size, length and athleticism you want in a premier tackle. He just has to show he’s honed his technique and can be a consistent performer. Last year per Pro Football Focus he graded out at 74.5 percent in 30 reps with a 71.7 pass block grade and 71.7 run block grade.
What he needs to do to move up this list
There’s a reason Okunlola was a 5-star signee – his body type and ability is next level. Now he just has to put it all together and live up to that. With three returning starters plus Carpenter coming in from Indiana, the stars are aligned for this to be an excellent offensive line … if a guy like Okunlola can really come through as the fifth starter. That competition will be massive when fall camp begins.
Realistic season objective
Right now we think Okunlola has a leg up to be the fifth starter, and it’s even possible he would start at right tackle with Mauigoa moving to left guard given the team wants its best combination starting five at the positions that make the most sense. Short of that we could see Okunlola playing a lot in jumbo packages and being a key depth guy at guard or tackle. He should be in line for significant reps … and we think ultimately he will have an NFL future. Okunlola has all the physical tools and skills you want in an offensive guard/tackle.
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