A highly touted British prospect has found his home in the United States for the next few years, as British offensive lineman Daniel Akinkunmi has announced his commitment to the Oklahoma Sooners.
Hailing from England, Akinkunmi has been a part of the NFL Academy program in Loughborough since 2021, where he has developed his skills as an offensive lineman. Akinkunmi participated in multiple NFL Academy trips to the United States for camps, where he was able to put his talents on display. Coaches from many elite college teams were captivated by his size (he stands 6’5” and weighs 320 pounds) and athleticism, as Akinkunmi racked up over 30 scholarship offers.
Considered a three-star prospect, Akinkunmi narrowed his decision to Oklahoma, Baylor, Clemson, Miami, and Ole Miss in September. He was ultimately won over by the Sooners, as he was impressed by head coach Brent Venables, offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, and the college town of Norman, Oklahoma, among other factors.
Akinkumni announced his commitment in a video at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at an NFL Academy event. After putting on the Oklahoma hat, he exclaimed “Boomer Sooner” and gave the “horns down” gesture, a jab at his future school’s rivals in the Texas Longhorns. He already looks like he can fit right in with the Sooners.
The Brit will enroll at Oklahoma next fall and will become the first player from overseas to play for the Sooners. His first season in Norman will coincide with the Sooners’ debut season in the SEC, where they will compete in what is widely considered to be the toughest college football conference. Though it is rare for a player to get playing time as a true freshman at a major program like Oklahoma, that will be Akinkunmi’s goal for next season.
Akinkunmi is one of the most highly-regarded prospects to come out of the NFL Academy, which was founded in 2019 by the NFL as a way to provide international prospects with a pathway to play football collegiately and beyond in the United States. There are 15 Academy alumni playing college football this season, and there are 62 players from 13 different countries currently a part of the Academy.