Rochester, MN-
Mesabi Range College defensive lineman Sam Okuayinonuwill go from playing college football in Virginia, Minnesota to playing in the Big Ten, as the Lowell, Massuchustet product signed with the University of Maryland Terripins this past week.
Okuayinonu claimed NJCAA All-America honors and was the MCAC Defensive Player-of-the-Year, thanks in large part to his 17.5 sacks on the season for the Norsemen. The Duluth News Tribune presented a pair of articles on the 6-2, 265 lb. phenom, who did not take up the sport of football until his senior year of high school. For more on the inspiring story of Okuayinou- who as a 13-year old immigrated to the U.S. from Liberia - be sure to check out the January 28 and December X stories in the Duluth News Tribune.
Minnesota West linebacker will head to NCAA Division II Upper Iowa University, where he will ply his trade against several familier MCAC faces in the Northern Sun Intercollegiage Conference, one of the top NCAA Division II leagues in the country. Also finding a home in the NCAA Division II ranks from MnWest was Blue Jay receiver Reggie Colson III, one of the leading wide-outs in the Conference over the last seasons.
North Dakota State College of Science defensive lineman was also a NJCAA All-America selection and will be staying in the upper Midwest, as the Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native will line up for Valley City State University next fall.