Every year there are surprise breakout players for the Miami Hurricanes, and this series is looking at our top five to break out in 2024. A year ago there were several that could have fit into this category, from RB Mark Fletcher to WR Jacolby George, OL Francis Mauigioa and DE Rueben Bain.
Who will surprise and help out Miami in a major way?
We start with No. 5 on our list.
MIAMI HURRICANES 2024 BREAKOUT PLAYER NO. 5: OL SAMSON OKUNLOLA
A quick refresher on Okunlola: He arrived at Miami last year as a highly touted 5-star signee along with fellow 5-star lineman Francis Mauigoa. Mauigoa, of course, wound up starting as a true freshman and fared well … he arrived as the more game-ready of the pair given his experience at a top IMG Academy program while Okunlola was playing at a much different level in Brockton, Mass.
There was certainly an adjustment for Okunlola, and he began the year essentially working into games as a tight end / extra guy on the line in jumbo packages. He wound up playing 30 reps in three games before a season-ending injury, and Pro Football Focus graded him out at 74.5 percent on those reps .
Which brings us to this year.
Miami has an open spot on the line with left guard Javion Cohen gone (Zach Carpenter was brought in to replace Matt Lee at center). And we think it’s Okunlola that will find his way into the starting lineup. It could either be at that guard spot or perhaps right tackle. The reason for that latter option? Well, Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal want to start the best five in the best combination. And it’s possible that Mauigoa would fit better at guard with Okunlola a lanky and fluid tackle at 6-6 and 300 pounds (Mauigoa is 6-6 and 315).
Also keep in mind that Okunlola will have to earn the job this fall … he spent the spring getting one reps at guard and some work at tackle as well. Matthew McCoy and others could also factor in.
So stay tuned.
But we are banking on Okunlola beginning to live up to his five-star billing this season.
THE OKUNLOLA FILE
2023 (True Freshman): Saw action in three games during debut season with Hurricanes…Missed most of season while recovering from knee injury…Made career debut in season opener against Miami (Ohio) (Sept. 1)…Saw snaps in win over Bethune-Cookman (Sept. 14)…Played at Temple (Sept. 23) in final appearance of season…Redshirted season.
High School: Consensus five-star prospect…Ranked No. 16 overall player in nation in ESPN300…Selected to All-American Bowl…Won New England Independ Sports League wrestling title as junior…Competed in shotput and discus as freshman…Chose Miami over offers from Michigan State, Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC, among others.
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