5/10/2021 football Edit

Rivals 250 DE recaps TTU offer and Virtual Visit

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Matt Clare • RedRaiderSports

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Thayer Academy (MA) DE Samuel Okunlola holds 45 offers from programs across the country

The Texas Tech coaches have offered eight (8) defensive end prospects in the 2022 class, and the latest offer went to Thayer Academy (Massachusetts) weakside defensive end Samuel Okunlola.

What you need to know...

...Okunlola announced his offer from the Red Raiders on April 13th, 2021

...the four-star prospect holds 45 total offers from programs across the country, including offers from Big 12 conference rivals Kansas, Texas and West Virginia

...the 6-foot-4, 220-pound prospect also plays varsity basketball for Thayer Academy

Communication with the TTU coaches: "I have been talking with the Texas Tech coaches for at least a few weeks now. I have mostly talked with Coach (Paul) Randolph, Coach (Eron) Hodges and Coach (Preston) Pehrson."

TTU offer, what do the coaches like about your game?: "The coaches liked myand explosiveness, my skill set, my aggressiveness, my ability to stop the run, my work ethic and overall potential."

Know about TTU?: "I know they are in the Big 12 conferece, and I know they have some notable alumni from the program like Michael Crabtree, Wes Welker and Pat Mahomes."

45 offers, how are you handling the recruiting process?: "I think that I'm handling it well and to the best of my abilities. I play basketball and talk with all the coaches, it is all just communication."

Visits/Virtual Visits: "I went to UCONN before the pandemic, but I have not taken any other visits. I'm working on scheduling official visits, but I have been on multiple virtual visits. I had a virtual visit with the Texas Tech coaches recently and I got to see the facilities, the dorms and all of the various buildings. It was more of a campus tour, informative meeting."

Important to you?: "For me the fit is important, going somewhere that fits my playing style and works to my advantage. I want to go where I can be developed, where I'm truly wanted and of course academics will play a big factor."

Currently rated a 5.8 four-star prospect, Okunlola is listed as the No. 231 overall prospect on the Rivals 250, the No. 11 weakside defensive end in the nation and the No. 3 overall prospect on the Rivals Massachusetts Top 10 for the 2022 class.