5-star OT Samson Okunlola announces top four schools

Brockton (Mass.) Thayer Academy five-star offensive tackle Samson Okunlola is announcing his commitment on Dec. 15. A few days before then, he is ready to release his contenders.

Okunlola told On3 that his final four schools are Alabama, Florida, Miami and Michigan State. Each of those programs received an official visit from the 6-foot-5, 305-pound recruit.

“Just generally the relationship I have with those coaches, how I see myself in those programs, how those programs can really elevate me,” Okunlola told On3 about why those schools made his final cut.

Okunlola knows what is key for his decision. Two factors are trusting the people at a school and knowing that they can develop him and his teammates to a higher level.

His top programs fit that criteria. The No. 1 player in Massachusetts is still deciding his plan to notify coaches of his decision.

“Overall right now, I’d say I’m at a position where I feel like I have a couple schools that I really like,” said Okunlola, the No. 16 overall prospect and No. 3 offensive tackle in the 2023 On3 Consensus. “I put my faith in a couple schools, some schools more than others.”

There is a lot of anticipation around Okunlola’s decision, since he is one of the best players in the country. He, like many others, is excited to share where he is playing college football.

“I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Okunlola said. “I’m kind of easing the mind. This is when, I’d say, the real hard works starts. The real dedication, the real love for football starts.”

Okunlola breaks down his top four schools

Alabama: “When I went down there, I loved the culture. I love the Bama culture of just wanting to win and wanting to overcome adversity. I love the coaches down there. I’ve known (offensive line) coach (Eric) Wolford for quite a while. Talking with the players, like Tyler Booker, and living that Bama feel, that’s what I like about Bama.”

Florida: “The message was, ‘We’re building something great down here and you’re a great player too. You can help the program. You can make an impact early and we got good guards. We got good interior offensive linemen right now.'”

Miami: “I’m trying to see what’s going on in Miami right now, considering the recruiting class they got right now. I’m trying to see the little bit of ups in the down year they had this year. I’m trying to see the rebuilding phase getting started.”

Michigan State: “The relationships I’ve built down there with the coaches and how good of a developer (offensive line coach) (Chris) Kapilovic is. I believe in that.”