Why five-star recruit Okunlola has stuck with UM, and Mirabal's forecast for him

Miami Herald

2 days ago

In this world of instant gratification — where some college football players change schools two or three times in a single offseason — it would have been very easy for former five-star recruit Samson Okunlola to flee Coral Gables and look for a college where he could immediately step into a starting lineup.
But Okunlola has displayed a quality in short supply in college sports: patience.
Despite entering UM in 2023 regarded as one of the nation's top offensive tackles (247 Sports ranked him fourth among tackles and the 20th-best player overall), Okunlola hasn't complained about playing only 64 snaps on offense last season after logging just 15 as a freshman.
He hasn't lamented riding the bench while his Class of 2023 teammate Francis Mauigoa, who was rated the No. 2 offensive tackle in 2023, has started for two years.
Instead of entering the portal, Okunlola focused on his studies — he received his bachelor's degree in just 2 ½ years — and worked on his game.
The growth has been so pronounced that offensive line coach Alex Mirabal said he's confident that Okunlola 'absolutely' will become a multiyear starter for UM — 'I have no doubt about that' — even though he's not expected to start at the beginning of this season, barring injuries.
'He's going to make it because of his work ethic and want-to, which are unbelievable,' Mirabal said during a recent conversation.
'He has done an unbelievable job [improving]. There are 17 ACC schools; he can start at all of them. He has displayed a tremendous amount of a thing people nowadays lack, which is patience. He's trusting in his work. With his intelligence, he's going to achieve what we all want him to achieve.'
Asked if he ever considered leaving, Okunlola suggested he hasn't, though he didn't answer directly. 'I'm committed to the process,' he said. 'I love the process. I love hard work. I love being detailed and getting better.'
Mirabal said: 'I tell people all the time — the fans, the media, coaches, they complain about how negative the transfer portal is. And then they question the kid, 'How come you stuck around? How come you haven't jumped in the portal?' I truly believe it's because Samson knows and sees that our coaching staff believes in him and trusts him. I feel he believes in us and trusts us, as does his family. He sees himself growing and developing.'
Okunlola's willingness to learn guard has made him more versatile. He now could fill in at four positions if UM has an injury to a starting group that is expected to include Markel Bell and Mauigoa at tackle, Michael McCoy and Anez Cooper at guard and James Brockermeyer at center. Ryan Rodriguez figures to be the backup center and backup left guard.
Asked what is Okunlola's best position, Mirabal said, 'it used to be tackle, and I still think it's tackle. But he can play guard. A lot of young guys think 'I'm only a tackle.'… He has grown past [that]. Over the last year and a half, he's like, 'I'm an O-lineman. I'll do whatever it takes.'
'I used to think he's only going to be a tackle. But he's a guy in my opinion that can play either tackle or guard spots.'
Okunlola said Mirabal, during the past two years, has encouraged him to 'work on the mental side of the game, watching more film, being more confident in the way I play.'
He's healthy now, after sustaining a torn MCL as a freshman, then needing surgery on a hand injury suffered during a UM bowl practice last December.
Asked if he has felt any frustration not playing after entering UM as a ballyhooed prospect, Okunlola said: 'I leave it up to the Lord. The Lord has been with me through the whole process.'
Okunlola, who was an excellent student at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Massachusetts, recently joined backup quarterback Emory Williams as the only current Canes to graduate in 2 ½ years.
'It's definitely an honor,' Okunlola said. 'My mother cried about it. It was a big thing for me and my family.'
He's now pursuing a master's degree in sports administration, taking classes exclusively on line.
'I can put more of my time in person to be in person more for football,' he said. 'And online, I can play with my schedule a little more.'