Meet the Pancake Honcho: What's the latest with Samson Okunlola's recruiting journey?

As one of Massachusetts' most highly-touted football recruits in recent memory, Thayer Academy's Samson Okunlola ended his junior year of high school undecided about which college he'll attend after he graduates.

For now, the 6-foot-5, 305-pound offensive tackle from Brockton has trimmed his list of destinations down to nine universities: Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Penn State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Ohio State, Miami and Michigan State.

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Did any particular tour stick out from the others?

“All of them are very good, I’d say,” said Okunlola. “All of them are (about) gaining relationships with coaches and players. I can’t really single out one.”

Every college football fan is eager to know which one Okunlola will decide on, with hopes he will select their beloved team. His older brother, Samuel, a former three-star recruit and the state's fifth-ranked player in the 2022 class according to 247sports.com, decided on the University of Pittsburgh this past December.

Samson Okunlola is currently ranked as 2023's second-best in Massachusetts (nationally, 25th overall and third at his position) by 247sports, behind safety Joenel Aguero of St. John's Prep (20th nationally) for tops in the state.

“It’s always great to feel appreciated by fans and stuff. I mean, you just don’t want it to get into your head, in a sense,” Okunlola said of the comments he gets on social media. “Get into your routine of working hard every day.”

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Playing alongside each other for Thayer Academy, the brotherly bond between Samson and Samuel quickly sparked a spirit of nicknames. In Samson's sophomore year, Samuel's nickname 'The Last Edge Bender' quickly gained traction for the defensive end's ability to storm the pocket on the outside. Shortly after, Samson's 'The Pancake Honcho' alter ego was born in honor of his tendency to assert 'pancake blocks', which sweep pass-rushers off their feet and keep the pocket clean of any havoc.

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“I came up with it but he was my inspiration," Okunlola said.

The name is already paying off in branding and recognition, as Okunlola has taken the internet by storm with photoshops of him in a college uniform drizzling syrup over a tall stack of pancakes. He also operates a new YouTube channel which will soon feature a 'Day in the Life' video.

As the NCAA implemented its new name/image likeness (NIL) rule, which allows student-athletes to profit on their identity in branding deals, a potential opportunity could soon surface for Okunlola. He didn't reveal much on what to expect on that front, but producing his own social media content opens up a wide array of avenues and opportunities.

“It's real fun just going back in time and seeing what I did way back, how I got here and really explaining that process,” said Okunlola about starting his YouTube channel. “It really allows me to focus on my whole life. I have other (interests) I want to explore, entrepreneurship and all that. Breaking that down has been pretty fun.”

In three consecutive weeks this past month, Okunlola visited Michigan State University, the University of Alabama and the University of Miami. Among other coaches, he met with the legendary Nick Saban, who paved the Crimson Tide's way to six national titles while grooming standout NFL talent in the process.

“It was a great experience," Okunlola said. "Overall, seeing how wise he was, how long he’s been in the game for, it was a great experience to talk to him about football and what the biggest disadvantages for freshmen coming in (are), what they need to work on.”

One of those points of improvement for Okunlola on the field, he says, is in the run game. He feels as though he has most pass-protection techniques down, and anticipates refinement in the running game to stem from learning situational execution within the tutelage of his future offensive coaches in college.

But for now, gearing up for the fall season one workout at a time will inch him closer to that point. Even with the limelight spun onto him, staying present is important as Okunlola enters a much-anticipated senior season of high school.

And for avid college football fans, you'll will simply have to wait a little while longer for his decision to be announced.

“I don’t really feel anything. I just feel like a regular kid working out, just like a regular football player. I just feel like I’ve been working in regards to what I want in life. I don’t really feel any spotlight right now,” said Okunlola. "I’m just playing what I love, going to class and doing what I’ve got to do.”

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton's Samson Okunlola to choose from nine college football teams