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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Comments (69)

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C
COCane4Life

Today at 9:39 AM

BigDikDaddyFromCincinnati said:
He’s only a RS sophomore this fall.

Exactly! Man can still have a great career and all of his goals are in front of him. No journey is the same. Hope he kills it this spring!

ScubaCane

Today at 9:55 AM

Memnon said:
If you're asking who on the 2001 OL would start over the current 24 OL, my answer would be all of them.

If you're asking who on the current 24 OL would start on the 01 OL, my answer would be none of them.

Give me Mauigoa over Joaquin

Today at 10:06 AM

We might have gotten spoiled by Mauigoa. Freshman tackles don’t usually start. Sampson is entering year three though so he needs to make a push for a starting spot somewhere. They’re paying him starting money.

ST26

Today at 10:08 AM

ScubaCane said:
View attachment 319252
Give me Mauigoa over Joaquin

Mauigoa definitely clears Joaquin. God imagine an offensive line with Mauigoa and Mckinnie. Cooper and Rivers probably are better than Rasouli/Wilkins and Bibla. Was Rivers a better tackle than Joaquin?

ST26

Today at 10:15 AM

DTP said:
We might have gotten spoiled by Mauigoa. Freshman tackles don’t usually start. Sampson is entering year three though so he needs to make a push for a starting spot somewhere. They’re paying him starting money.

Players like Mauigoa don't come around often. He is likely going to be a top 10 pick and going to not only have a long NFL career, but an extremely successful one. In 2024, I noticed late in the season Rivers would rotate between Guard and Tackle so Mccoy and Bell could both see the field. I wouldn't be surprised if they do this again with Samson and Mccoy. Maybe they'd have set plays with Mauigoa at Guard and Samson at Tackle?

Today at 11:19 AM

do we think he starts this season, and if so, at which position?

S
STG

Today at 11:41 AM

ST26 said:
Mauigoa definitely clears Joaquin. God imagine an offensive line with Mauigoa and Mckinnie. Cooper and Rivers probably are better than Rasouli/Wilkins and Bibla. Was Rivers a better tackle than Joaquin?

Definitely? Joaquin was a 2x 1st team All-American. Francis hasn't even been a 1st team All-ACC player yet.

While Francis' game translates better to the NFL, to this point in his career, Joaquin was a far superior OL in college.

J
jed2410

Today at 11:58 AM

NIL has changed the expectations a bit I think. If you're going to be negotiating with teams like you're a player, then don't be surprised when folks start wondering WTF is up if you haven't produced in a couple of seasons.

I want guys to be able to take time and develop, but there's a reckoning coming that their NIL value out of high school has to reflect who they'll be as a freshman, not who they might be as a junior or senior. Maybe we're already there. The **** do I know

Ziggy

Today at 1:06 PM

Glad he's healthy and frankly on the roster still. Would love to see him grab the starting guard spot or play swing tackle assuming he doesn't beat out Bell.