July Player Performance Index top 30 deep dive: No. 26 OL Samson Okunlola

CaneSport is breaking down the top 30 Miami players on the roster based on projected production, and today we’re at No. 26, Samson Okunlola .

THE BIG PICTURE

We think Okunlola is in a great spot to start this year at either left guard, taking over Javion Cohen’s open spot, or perhaps even at right tackle if coaches decide the best starting five combination is Okunlola at tackle and moving sophomore Francis Mauigoa from RT, where he started last year, to guard. But with one open OL spot (Mauigoa is joined by returning starters Jalen Rivers and Anez Cooper, and the team also added Indiana starting center Zach Carpenter), the job won’t just be handed to Okunlola. Others we think have a shot to be the fifth starter here are redshirt sophomore guard Matthew McCoy, who got reps as a backup last season and has a bright future, and JUCO OT arrival Markel Bell (in that scenario Mauigoa would move to guard). So it’s going to be a very interesting fall camp on the O line. Okunlola missed most of last season injured after beginning the year in a backup capacity, and now he has to start living up to his five-star potential with the team needing a fifth starter.

JULY PLAYER PERFORMANCE INDEX: No. 30 Elijah Alston , No. 29 Josh Horton , No. 28 Raul Aguirre … No. 27 D’yoni Hill

THE ANALYSIS

Okunlola tore his MCL in Game 4 last season after arriving as a touted 5-star signee, and he missed the rest of the season. He looked no worse for wear this spring, though, working in to share reps with the ones at left guard. As mentioned above, that’s the spot left vacant by Javion Cohen’s departure. A 6-6, 327-pounder, Okunlola has the size, length and athleticism you want in a premier tackle. He just has to show he’s honed his technique and can be a consistent performer. Last year per Pro Football Focus he graded out at 74.5 percent in just 30 reps with a 71.7 pass block grade and 71.7 run block grade.

THE PROJECTION

Right now we think Okunlola has a leg up to be the fifth starter, and as we mentioned previously it’s possible he would start at right tackle with Mauigoa moving to left guard given the team wants its best combination starting five. Short of that we could see Okunlola playing a lot in jumbo packages and being a key depth guy at guard or tackle. He should be in line for significant reps … and we think ultimately he will have an NFL future. Okunlola has all the physical tools and skills you want in an offensive guard/tackle, and it would help the team tremendously if he starts living up to his potential this year.

THE JUMP HE NEEDS FROM SPRING TO FALL CAMP

Okunlola looked good this spring, with a body type and ability that is next level. Now he just has to put it all together. With three returning starters plus Carpenter coming in from Indiana, the stars are aligned for this to be an excellent offensive line … if a guy like Okunlola can really come through as the fifth starter. That competition will be massive when fall camp begins, and he has to really show that physical domination and consistency that Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal demand.

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