Samson Okunlola: My focus is on getting better, not whether I start or not

DMoney

Aug 14, 2024 2 min read

After missing part of his freshman season to knee injury, Samson Okunlola has been working with both the first and second-team at right tackle and left guard. He met with reporters to discuss his progress:

On his mindset so far in camp: Every day I'm looking to get better. Because I'm really getting better, my focus is not on starting or nothing like that. My focus is to get better today and better tomorrow and better the next day.

On the depth in the room: We’ve definitely got a lot of talent. Even last year, we had a lot of talent. We’ll be more talented this year, more dudes ready, more dudes who know how to hold the scheme, more dudes who are ready to get in and compete.

On what he showcased in spring: Just that I'm ready to compete, I'm ready to get better, I'm ready to showcase that I know the system, I know our playbook, and I know how to operate in our playbook, I know the techniques to use, I know how wide to be, and just how to do it. That's the thing I want to showcase, and I'm going to showcase that even more this fall.

On what he’s learned from the older guys: They helped me grow in the sense of technique, using my hands better in the pass game, being better [in the run game]. Knowing the whole technique, the whole scheme, so I can use my techniques multiple ways. Showing me different ways how to attack this, attack that. Letting me know when blitzes are coming in the running game, so I can better choose a technique to use for that play.

On the importance of earning the trust of Coach Mirabal: Trust is the big thing. The five O-linemen who play have to be trusted and trusted among themselves. It’s knowing your playbook. The film never lies. So what you do on the film, that’s the truth.

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CaneMutiny06

Aug 14, 2024

I’m pretty confident it’s going to be Rivers, McCoy, Carpenter, Coop, Francis.

And i think that’s gonna be a nasty OL. *Maybe* some gelling in the run game for the first third or so of the season while McCoy gets situated but we should be firing on all cylinders by conference play.

JHallCanes

Aug 14, 2024

Good news here is we are a collective group of dumbasses and we actually have OL coaches that know what they’re doing

Feels nice

W
Warrior808

Aug 14, 2024

JHallCanes said:
This is kinda crazy tbh

You really think these guys aren’t haven’t these conversations?

And if we moved him to guard for this year, he would likely go back to tackle next year. These aren’t South Florida wide receivers diva mentality

All hypothetical anyway

Okunlola, Bell and McCoy all return next year. Why would they start them at right tackle this year just to move Mauigoa back to take their spot next? I dont see him as a left tackle, especially if he plays guard for a year.

But like you said, its all hypothetical message board talk. I was just pointing out something to consider when discussing moving a freshman all american to a new / less desirable position.

JHallCanes

Aug 14, 2024

Warrior808 said:
Okunlola, Bell and McCoy all return next year. Why would they start them at right tackle this year just to move Mauigoa back to take their spot next? I dont see him as a left tackle, especially if he plays guard for a year.

But like you said, its all hypothetical message board talk. I was just pointing out something to consider when discussing moving a freshman all american to a new / less desirable position.

Yeah I get what you’re saying didn’t really mean to be combative about it, just meant like I’m sure the way our coaches are with players, these are decisions that are being made together. They’re not dumb enough to force Mauigoa to do something hes not comfortable with (I don’t think)

I get the trepidation when it comes to this but one area I think Mario has my support is these types of things

Anyway, best 5 will play. Super excited to see how it plays out

Canesfan1899

Aug 14, 2024

LuCane said:
Can we experiment with the OL and the LG/RT combinations *after* the Gator game and before the VT game? If Mauigoa is your best RT going into the Gator game, then he should stay there next to Cooper. I'd rather hide the relatively weaker link inside and next to Rivers. You feel the need to give Okunlola and Bell chances to prove their value at RT? There's FAMU, Ball State, and USF.

I’ll never forget poor Zion Nelson being a turnstile in his first game because we had no
options. Much better options now and completely agree you go with your best tackles week 1 and experiment after.

JayCane20

Aug 14, 2024

calinative umstudent said:
Tackle is more important than Guard. And Why would Mauigoa want to move?

Generally not the best plan to move your freshman all American OT to Guard. Id move Rivers before Mauigoa personally.

I'm not confident enough in this opinion to argue about it or defend it but I don't think he's a good-great Tackle. Above average. I'll definitely hold judgment until I see more this year. Solid college Tackle that was All American because he started as a true freshman and will be a guard at the next level.

I know, I know... everyone said the same about Penei Sewell and he proved everyone wrong now he's probably the best RT in the NFL. Save me from that.

Just my early, preliminary opinion. I do however think Francis would be absolutely elite at LG... pulling and working to the 2nd level. A top tier OG is going to make as much or more than a mid-tier OT in the NFL.

Again.. not looking to argue this take. I want to see his development at the position in year 2 and then I will make my case or scrap the idea.

S
Sugarcane521

Aug 14, 2024

Felonious Monk said:
Don't underestimate the value of a top pulling guard who can open lanes.

Cooper and CC at guard could be one of the best interior OL combos on CFB

Calinative

Aug 14, 2024

JayCane20 said:
I'm not confident enough in this opinion to argue about it or defend it but I don't think he's a good-great Tackle. Above average. I'll definitely hold judgment until I see more this year. Solid college Tackle that was All American because he started as a true freshman and will be a guard at the next level.

I know, I know... everyone said the same about Penei Sewell and he proved everyone wrong now he's probably the best RT in the NFL. Save me from that.

Just my early, preliminary opinion. I do however think Francis would be absolutely elite at LG... pulling and working to the 2nd level. A top tier OG is going to make as much or more than a mid-tier OT in the NFL.

Again.. not looking to argue this take. I want to see his development at the position in year 2 and then I will make my case or scrap the idea.

Well as far as pay is concerned

After this off-season - which was the best ever for OGs, the new top paid is $21M, with 3 others at $20,$20, and $20.5. the 10th highest paid now around that $16M mark. 18 make above $10M.

Top OTs are making $28M. The 10th highest paid OT is making $20M exactly - so basically as much as the top OG. There are 24 OTs making above $16M/yr. So I’m not so sure being an elite OG is financially better than being a “mid tier” OT.

Plus being an OT in college and with intention to be an OT in NFL is certainly helping your draft stock so that you CAN be a top draft pick which slots you into the higher Rookie Wage. Very few OGs are top 15 picks… 7 OGs since 2013 have been drafted in the top 15. Only 3 ish of those have been even top 10 - Quentin Nelson, Brandon Scherff, and I counted Erick Flowers even though he was absolutely drafted as an OT and to be their OT…compare that to OT where there have been 7 OTs drafted in top 15 in JUST the last two drafts combined lol.

It’s not that I don’t think Mauigoa can be elite OG, I just think OT is much more valuable, and we KNOW he is better than Samson/McCoy today. I understand the argument that is basically Samson is better at OT than Guard therefore you want him at his best position especially when you are confident Mauigoa can be an elite player at OG. I don’t think either is really WRONG, but I don’t think Rivers has like any shot really at being an NFL OT or extremely high draft pick, while Mauigoa does. Just generally also if you have a true frosh who wins a starting OT job, and is a FroshAA there, that should just be his job unless he is actually beaten out.

I mean what’s the gameplan next season? Shift Samson to LT, keep Mauigoa at LG and hope Bell wins starting RT job and if Cooper leave put McCoy at RG? Lot of moving around, while we COULD have Samson and Mauigoa at LT/RT the next two years by moving Rivers today…. But hey if Bell is out 3rd Best lineman I’d get wanting Mauigoa at Guard…

Calinative

Aug 14, 2024

LuCane said:
Can we experiment with the OL and the LG/RT combinations *after* the Gator game and before the VT game? If Mauigoa is your best RT going into the Gator game, then he should stay there next to Cooper. I'd rather hide the relatively weaker link inside and next to Rivers. You feel the need to give Okunlola and Bell chances to prove their value at RT? There's FAMU, Ball State, and USF.

I agree with this for sure. the biggest negative impact of having Samson or McCoy at LG would be In the run game against UF where they’d be blocking DTs primarily whereas at PT they’d be blocking Edges. And that’s something I think everyone would be confident Mauigoa can dominate doing especially since he was already our best run blocker last year as a true frosh. I don’t think either lineup is really affected much in the pass protection game, and it’s obviously easier to help on the interior with the center.

Ironmanfootball

Aug 14, 2024

cway313 said:
Hope everyone understands how vital it is for 5*s to perform well.

Development matters.

cway313

Aug 14, 2024

Ironmanfootball said:
Development matters.

According to some here, development doesn't exist.

FrancisSawyer

Aug 14, 2024

JayCane20 said:
I'm not confident enough in this opinion to argue about it or defend it but I don't think he's a good-great Tackle. Above average. I'll definitely hold judgment until I see more this year. Solid college Tackle that was All American because he started as a true freshman and will be a guard at the next level.

I know, I know... everyone said the same about Penei Sewell and he proved everyone wrong now he's probably the best RT in the NFL. Save me from that.

Just my early, preliminary opinion. I do however think Francis would be absolutely elite at LG... pulling and working to the 2nd level. A top tier OG is going to make as much or more than a mid-tier OT in the NFL.

Again.. not looking to argue this take. I want to see his development at the position in year 2 and then I will make my case or scrap the idea.

Have you ever considered that your estimation of his(Francis) ability at RT being above average and not good/great had something to do with him being a true freshman? Not being sarcastic. That's an honest question.

Ironmanfootball

Aug 14, 2024

cway313 said:
According to some here, development doesn't exist.

Mario has been a P4/5 HC for 6 seasons and has had 4 players drafted rounds 1-4? They’re right. Under Mario so far it doesn’t!

JayCane20

Aug 14, 2024

FrancisSawyer said:
Have you ever considered that your estimation of his(Francis) ability at RT being above average and not good/great had something to do with him being a true freshman? Not being sarcastic. That's an honest question.

I tried to make that clear. I also think he’s more suited for guard. Things that are hindering his future ceiling at RT meaning I think he’s close to his ceiling at the position, minus cleaning up a few things common for a freshman. Better translates to a guard

cway313

Aug 14, 2024

Ironmanfootball said:
Mario has been a P4/5 HC for 6 seasons and has had 4 players drafted rounds 1-4? They’re right. Under Mario so far it doesn’t!

3
3FW

Aug 14, 2024

This is arguably the deepest most talented line we have ever had. Is it 2001, probably not. But I think it's better than 2002.

brock

Aug 14, 2024

Our dline is fierce so they will be ready but for game 1 since we are playing uf I still Will go with our most experienced tackles (rivers and Mauigoa) and then after that game move Mauigoa to guard okunlola to OT

S
skyman

Aug 14, 2024

Warrior808 said:
I agree that this is probably the best lineup on paper but Francis has to be on board otherwise you risk losing him for next year. I am sure he would be a team player and move to guard but I cant imagine its not his preference to play tackle. Financially, its a no brainer.

With free transfers and NIL, there are a lot of things to consider. The benefit to moving him inside has to be clear and substantial. He has already shown he can play tackle and teams would come at him HARD this offseason and sell that opportunity if we put him at guard

Dam frncis about to hold us hostage like James Williams :ibis-roflmao-sm3: