Akinshilo Commits

Wow, he's really young. Him being that young, and new to football it would be very surprising for him to see immediate playing time especially on the Oline. Probably see him next year if he has real potential.
 
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First - I know nothing.
My opinion - I think this is a great addition. I really doubt he plays this year. Getting a guy after only one year in a JUCO is great. You could redshirt and still have a 3 year player. He apparently got little interest in high school. I think this is a developmental player with very high potential. He might play, but barring unforeseen situations, I think he will benefit greatly from a year in the program to develop and prepare. I expect him to become a multi year starter.


Totally agree, this guy looks like a great project. Show him the weight room, how to block, and videos of Kelechi Osemele for the next year and then turn him loose.
 
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Nice to see him playing guard and tackle as well as a few snaps at center in his highlight reel. Having players who aren't lost shifting over can be very helpful even if only for a few snaps a game or in an emergency situation.
 
Pretty raw. But this could be a fun project that has a very high ceiling.
 
If he's 4 to play 3 then that's an excellent signing this late. Give him a year or two to develop and could be a good starter.
 
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This dude is a brick house of a man.

The fact that he has barely two years of actual football under his belt is exciting. The fact USC was sniffing around him at the end is even more exciting. This is how our staff can "out- grind" other staffs to find good players.
 
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Kid has a great story. Just turned 18, must be a crazy good athlete. Will be rooting hard for him.
 
Nick Osen believes he could start our first game. Interpret that as you will.

I interpret that Nick isn't a student of Matt Campbell's tenure at ISU. Upperclassmen get the benefit of the doubt early in the season.

Unless Akinshilo has a lot of natural strength or already a workout warrior- I would be surprised if he sees the field this fall. IMO these late spring signing along the o-line are in prep for the 2023 season.
 
I interpret that Nick isn't a student of Matt Campbell's tenure at ISU. Upperclassmen get the benefit of the doubt early in the season.

Unless Akinshilo has a lot of natural strength or already a workout warrior- I would be surprised if he sees the field this fall. IMO these late spring signing along the o-line are in prep for the 2023 season.
This may be true but Campbell hasn't been shy about starting some freshmen from day 1, including at some pretty important positions like Mike Linebacker. It isn't like he won't start them from day 1 if they are the best option.
 
This may be true but Campbell hasn't been shy about starting some freshmen from day 1, including at some pretty important positions like Mike Linebacker. It isn't like he won't start them from day 1 if they are the best option.

I interpret that Nick isn't a student of Matt Campbell's tenure at ISU. Upperclassmen get the benefit of the doubt early in the season.

Unless Akinshilo has a lot of natural strength or already a workout warrior- I would be surprised if he sees the field this fall. IMO these late spring signing along the o-line are in prep for the 2023 season.
I think people misinterpret that as if Matt has a rule where he refuses to play freshmen day one. I think it all depends on the team structure and the composition of the players currently on the roster.

I would wager with this class you will see more freshmen out there.
 
This may be true but Campbell hasn't been shy about starting some freshmen from day 1, including at some pretty important positions like Mike Linebacker. It isn't like he won't start them from day 1 if they are the best option.
Rose started from Day One because there was no one else. Far more recently, Freyler and Purchase worked their way into playing time over the course of the season—because the makeup of the team is much different now.

Funto may be extremely physically gifted, but he’s played the game for a whole two years. Meanwhile, Simmons and Hufford have been here in the system for a long time.

If he’s that good, it wouldn’t terribly surprise me to see him work his way into playing time the way Freyler and Purchase did. If he starts game one…that’s more than impressive.