Heading into the summer, many recruits work to fill out their official visit schedules, as these trips will be critical to their decision-making process. With that in mind, it’s important for Oregon to hire top talent in an unofficial capacity as the recruiting calendar heats up with summer commitments.
And that’s exactly what they did this weekend as they hosted five-star offensive tackle (.9847 on 247Sports Composite). Samson Okunlola. The outstanding Thayer Academy (Braintree, Mass.) spoke ducks digest about his first trip to Eugene and the first time he came to the west coast.
“It was a pretty good visit overall,” he said. “I loved the people out there, the facilities have always been good. So just a good place to be around.”
During his journey he spent time with current players like Jackson Powers-Johnson and Marcus Harper II. As for the coaching staff, he spent most of his time with new attacking coach Adrian Klemm and sonically the two hit it off.
“Overall, he likes to bond with his players,” Okunlola said of Klemm. “Some coaches don’t really have a relationship with their players like pure football does. He trained in the NFL. He has also produced NFL talent. He is also a former player. It’s always good to have a coach who’s already done it before you.”
Okunlola caught a lot of people’s attention when he posted photos from visits showing a large stack of pancakes. He was impressed by the personal touch of the Oregon employees, especially since his brand is called “Pancake Honcho”.
Samson Okunlola visits Oregon
“I put all the drip and uniform on,” he said. “They put out some pancakes and I was like ‘damn,’ they really have some pancakes out here, so that was really good to see. They’re really just trying to help my brand and kind of educate me.”
The power of a brand is something he learns as a top national recruit, and that’s part of what makes him excited about what Oregon has to offer.
“I feel like one of the best Pac-12 teams I would say and I also play for a school – basically Nike from there. That could really help you with branding deals and all that. They play high level football and also show off your brand.”
Following his trip to Oregon, the nation’s No. 3 offensive tackle is turning his attention to getting back on the recruit lane for some key visits this summer.
Samson Okunlola visits Oregon
Samson Okunlola/Oregon Athletics
“Right now I’m really trying to figure out what OVs (official visits) I’m going to do this summer,” Okunlola said. “I’ll take about three or four, and then one or two in the fall.”
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The 6-foot-6, 305-pound mauler has 46 reported offers and highlighted a group of heavy-hitter schools that recruit him the hardest.
“Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama, Miami, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Notre Dame, Oregon and Oklahoma.”
As for a decision, it sounds like a long way off, but he has no intention of wasting time getting things rolling with his school of choice.
“I could commit in the season or maybe a week after. It really depends. I will be an early enroller for sure.”
As he navigates the recruitment process and things get really hot this summer, Okunlola has very detailed criteria for what he appreciates about the school that deserves his dedication.
“Firstly is it really like development and the feeling like you’re going to develop me as a player? What is your real plan for me? And second, it really is education/connection. I’m trying to get a great degree and come back with connections like alumni base, internships, all that stuff.
“What stable coaching staff too? I’m not trying to go through three O-Line trainers in three years. The last thing is really just liking the school and liking the environment and knowing that I can be successful in that environment.”
Okunlola added that as a newcomer he hopes to start playing left tackle right away, but he’s also open to playing other positions.
*WATCH SAMSON OKUNLOLA HIGHLIGHTS HERE*
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Heading into the summer, many recruits work to fill out their official visit schedules, as these trips will be critical to their decision-making process. With that in mind, it’s important for Oregon to hire top talent in an unofficial capacity as the recruiting calendar heats up with summer commitments. Subscribe to the full article
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