Samson Okunola is one of the top offensive linemen in the class of 2023. The four-star offensive tackle is hearing from nearly every major program in the country but he says that a handful of programs are after him the most right now.
Okunola isn’t ready to cut down his list quite yet, but the sixth-best offensive tackle in the nation and No. 1 player in Massachusetts in next year’s class is certainly intrigued by the schools chasing him the hardest. He said that Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Rutgers are showing him the most attention in their recruitment.
One program that isn’t in that group is Michigan, but the No. 6 Wolverines are making a positive impression on Okunola.
“I like their program – [I] talked with the head coach (Jim Harbaugh) a few times. He is a good person, they play good football too,” Okunola said.
“He really likes my game, how athletic I am as a lineman, and thinks Michigan would be a good place for me.”
The 6-foot-6, 295-pounds is the No. 65 player in the nation according to Rivals. He plays for Thayer Academy in Massachusetts. This week, he provided ‘Rutgers Wire’ a breakdown of the five programs he said are after him the hardest (all but Wisconsin have offered).
— Samson Okunlola ‘23 (@SAMSONOKUNLOLA_) October 25, 2021
On Pittsburgh:
“I like the program. They run a good offense and the offensive line coach is a pretty good coach off what I have talked with him.”
On Notre Dame:
“Their offensive line coach – he has a history of sending offensive linemen to the NFL and developing them. Their message is that you get to play football at a higher level and get to be developed by one of the top offensive line coaches but also get a good education.”
On Northwestern:
“I like the offensive line coach. He’s a great coach off what I have talked with him and I like the idea that I get to play football against high-level teams but also like getting an Ivy League education without having to go to an Ivy.”
On Wisconsin:
“How their season is going right now will factor in my discussion but they haven’t offered me…other than that their history interests me but I still need to talk more with the coaches to further get to know them.”
On Rutgers:
“They run a good program and they have a great family aspect in the team. It is very possible they can rebuild in the future.”