If there’s one thing we learned from Miami’s 2025 season, it’s that Mario Cristobal has this program headed in the right direction-and he’s doing it his way. A former Hurricane himself, Cristobal has leaned into his roots, surrounding himself with top-tier talent and building a culture that rewards patience, development, and toughness in the trenches. That’s where Samson Okunlola comes in.
Okunlola, once one of the most coveted offensive line prospects in the country, is entering his fourth year in Coral Gables with the spotlight finally shifting in his direction. According to 247Sports Composite rankings, he was the No. 1 player out of Massachusetts, the No. 4 offensive tackle nationally, and the No. 20 overall prospect in the 2023 class. And now, after biding his time and honing his craft behind the scenes, he’s primed to take on a full-time role in 2026.
With Francis Mauigoa heading to the NFL, Okunlola steps into a massive opportunity-literally and figuratively. At 6-foot-6 and 330 pounds, he’s got the kind of frame that offensive line coaches dream about.
But it’s not just size that makes him intriguing-it’s the growth he’s shown behind the scenes. By all accounts, he’s been locked in, steadily improving, and now he’s ready to anchor a line that will be crucial to Miami’s offensive identity.
The Hurricanes are losing more than just Mauigoa. Defensive stars Rueben Bain Jr. and Akheem Mesidor are both expected to be early selections in the upcoming NFL Draft, leaving Miami with big shoes to fill on both sides of the ball. But while the defense reloads, the offense will look to steady itself behind a veteran line, and Okunlola is expected to be a major part of that foundation.
Experience matters in college football-just look at the last two College Football Playoffs. Veteran-laden teams like Ohio State and Indiana made deep runs because they had the maturity and cohesion that only time can build.
Miami nearly joined that group, making a surprise playoff push as a No. 10 seed and coming within striking distance of a national title. That run didn’t come by accident.
It came from a roster that had been through the battles and was ready for the moment.
Now, as the Hurricanes look ahead to 2026, they’re once again positioned as a frontrunner in the ACC. They didn’t reach the conference title game last year, but their playoff performance spoke volumes. And with a strong recruiting base and a size advantage up front, Miami enters next season with legitimate expectations.
Okunlola’s emergence will be a key storyline to watch. If he’s ready to step into a leadership role and bring that same edge Mauigoa brought to the line, Miami’s offense could be even more dangerous. This is his moment-his chance to take the baton and help push the Hurricanes one step closer to their long-awaited return to college football’s elite.