Versatile offensive lineman Daniel Akinkunmi, one of top uncommitted prospects for 2024, set to visit Ole Miss in September
OXFORD, Miss. — If you don’t know the name Daniel Akinkunmi, you will soon. He has become one of the most coveted offensive linemen remaining in the 2024 cycle — and he plays across the pond in England.
The Rebels, who offered him back in June, have remained in the hunt and are in his list of top schools.
#AGTG After a great conversation with @CoachGarrisonOL I’m blessed to receive a offer from @OleMissFB @Collins_OleMiss @Rishi_Desai_ @Lane_Kiffin @ChadSimmons_ @adamgorney @justinwells2424 @MikeRoach247 @SWiltfong247 @CraigHaubert @RustyMansell_ @EdOBrienCFB @AllenTrieu pic.twitter.com/97CbyInK7p
— 3⭐️ OL Daniel Akinkunmi (@official_Grind4) June 5, 2023
While Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin’s recruiting bread and butter initially came from the transfer portal as he looked to quickly rebuild the program, as of late the program is demonstrating it can also excel in finding elite talent at the high school level, and that it can come from literally anywhere.
For 2023, the Rebs are ranked No. 3 in the transfer portal in the nation. For 2024, they’re ranked in the top 20 for high school recruits.
Akinkunmi has only been playing football for a little over a year; however, he is already a 3-star and ranks as the No. 34 interior offensive lineman in the nation in his class. Oh — and he can play all five spots on the offensive line.
— 3⭐️ OL Daniel Akinkunmi (@official_Grind4) August 28, 2023
The NFL Academy
Even at the high school level, American football has quite a footing overseas. In September of 2019, the NFL saw the need to help foster that talent, launching the NFL Academy that calls Loughborough, England home.
This initiative was created to help bring together the global talent of student athletes who range from 16-19 to foster their love for the game, build their schools and attain their education. The squad’s roster is formed with 70 of the world’s best who are trained by professional coaches.
Raw talent and athleticism
Akinkunmi’s raw talent and extreme athleticism have many of the nation’s top programs, including Ole Miss, knocking at the door ready to bring him home. Clemson just offered him a few days ago.
In addition to an offer from the Rebels, he currently holds ones from: Baylor, Oklahoma, Clemson, Miami, Arkansas, Duke, Georgia Tech, Memphis, Minnesota, North Carolina, Texas Tech, UTSA, Washington State, and Penn State, among others.
He recently spoke with The Rebel Walk about receiving the offer.
”It’s amazing feeling to get offered by them (Ole Miss). I really appreciate the opportunity and can’t wait to hopefully take an OV (official visit).”
Akinkunmi on the Ole Miss offer
After a long summer of camps and visits for Akinkunmi, he still has the Rebels on his mind.
Top ten 🇬🇧➡️🇺🇸#SicEm #Sooner #ComeToTheSip #GoJackets #ForBoston #BLEEDBLUE #Gophers #Razorbacks #GoCougs #GoHerd pic.twitter.com/Ns3vUjb1QG
— 3⭐️ OL Daniel Akinkunmi (@official_Grind4) July 28, 2023
The mountain of a young man also talked about what he is looking for in a program.
”…I need a program that IS home, not just feels like it’s home, because of how far away I live. I need to have a coaching staff who can develop me to the NFL and to get a good education.”
Daniel Akinkunmi
Akinkunmi remains diligent in working on his development and helping his team this season while continuing to focus on the program he will choose from down the road.
When people are partying or sleeping in I’m working on my craft 💆🏾♂️
Today I’m working on:
Pass pro 45 and vertical set pic.twitter.com/fCQv4kNKEX— 3⭐️ OL Daniel Akinkunmi (@official_Grind4) July 3, 2023
LET’S GO ALL-AMERICA @official_Grind4!
He’s going to get the chance to play on the biggest stage in high school 🏈!#NFLAcademy pic.twitter.com/NzDIizKda0
— NFL Academy (@NFLAcademy) August 3, 2023
Official visit to Ole Miss planned for September
Akinkunmi also shared with us that he plans to go on more official visits during the months of September and that Ole Miss would be receiving one of those. He plans to make his commitment in October.
While he may be new to the game and might need a little time to develop at the next level, he has the athleticism and the attitude to compete in the SEC. What makes him an even more appealing prospect is he is comfortable in multiple areas, all five to be exact, on the line. That versatility is another reason why many programs are continuing to take a chance to land one of the best kept secrets across the pond.
Being versatile in this game is important.
I can play all 5 positions for OL.
6’5 305lbs pic.twitter.com/NCZRkVMV9J
— 3⭐️ OL Daniel Akinkunmi (@official_Grind4) July 27, 2023
Coaches I can flip that switch off and on || 6’5 305lbs class 24 || pic.twitter.com/eaECOpjJOf
— 3⭐️ OL Daniel Akinkunmi (@official_Grind4) June 15, 2023
We look forward to sharing more on Daniel’s recruitment along with his upcoming visit to Oxford.
Hotty Toddy!
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo
Lee Ann is the Director of Recruiting for The Rebel Walk. She is a veteran SEC sports journalist and NFL content writer. She is also the Sr. Editor for MESPORTS digital. Herring-Olvedo is a Brown University graduate who loves good cigars, good games, and a smooth glass of bourbon — not necessarily in that order.
