On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine: Miami trending for Olaus Alinen

Windsor (Conn.) The Loomis Chaffee School four-star offensive tackle Olaus Alinen recently announced that his commitment date is July 22 and that he is deciding between Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State and Oregon. According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine, the Hurricanes have a commanding lead for Alinen’s commitment at 82.2% following multiple expert predictions.

The Crimson Tide have the next best odds at 10.5%, while the Buckeyes have a 4.2% chance to land a pledge from Alinen. The RPM also gives the Bulldogs and the Ducks less than 1% odds for Alinen.

Alinen has visited all five of his finalists officially. Alabama has received the most total visits from Alinen with three.

“I will be doing some soul searching now,” Alinen told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I will keep talking with my family, getting their opinions, and hearing their thoughts, but this will be my decision. 

“It is about where I want to go. With these schools, I feel I can’t go wrong, so it is a big decision I have to make.”

Each finalist has impressed Alinen

Even though Alinen has visited Coral Gables only once, he has been impressed by Miami and its coaching staff, especially head coach Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal.

“I feel really strong about them” Alinen told CaneSport’s Izubee Charles. “The relationships are really good there. Coach Cristobal and coach Mirabal recruited me since my freshman year when I lived in Europe. They’ve been believing in me for a long time and I really feel good about the Canes.”  

The Hurricanes got Alinen’s first official visit on June 3, while Alabama got his next one a week later. Alinen told On3’s Joseph Hastings that he has built a good relationship with Crimson Tide offensive line coach Eric Wolford and Alabama is impressive because it runs like a “pro-style program.”

The Crimson Tide have been in consideration since last November and now that Alinen’s recruiting process is nearing its end, Alabama has been giving him a unique message.

“Really, it’s about the longer goals,” Alinen said. “Getting to the NFL. Being a first-round draft pick. Getting to the second contract. They’re really pitching that and saying they’re a place that can make that happen for me.”

Following a trip to Tuscaloosa, he took his official visit at Georgia. Alinen expressed high praise for head coach Kirby Smart and offensive line coach Stacy Searels to DawgsHQ and was impressed by the Bulldogs’ practice and team environments on his previous visits.

Alinen then finished up with visits to Columbus and Eugene. He enjoyed Ohio State’s team culture and interacting with offensive line coach Justin Frye, according to Letterman Row.

Regarding Oregon, Alinen wanted to see the program under a new head coach in Dan Lanning.

“It’s a program that can win and develop you,” Alinen told On3’s Chad Simmons. “I have a huge amount of respect for (offensive line) coach (Adrian) Klemm and for his coaching ability. It is also a place where you can maximize your personal brand, so I want to check it out.”

Recruiting impact if Alinen commits to Miami

Alinen is rated as the No. 125 overall prospect and the No. 12 offensive tackle in the 2023 On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. If he commits to Miami, he would be the third offensive tackle in the Hurricanes’ 2023 class alongside Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy five-star Francis Mauigoa and Playa Del Rey (Calif.) St. Bernard three-star Frankie Tinilau.