Brockton’s Samuel Okunlola was named ACC Rookie of the Week, the conference announced.
Okunlola, a redshirt freshman defensive end at the University of Pittsburgh, forced and recovered a fumble in last week’s 38-21 win over No. 14 Louisville. The Panthers’ offense churned out a 71-yard scoring drive on the ensuing possession, tying the game at 14 with 1:23 left in the first half.
Okunlola finished the game with four tackles and one sack. He has appeared in six of Pittsburgh’s seven games this season.
“Okunlola continues to earn prominent time on Pitt’s defensive line,” the team wrote in a press release. “He is tied for the team lead with three sacks this season and is a viable Freshman All-America candidate.”
Okunlola, who stands 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, graduated from Thayer Academy in 2022 as the fifth-best prospect in the state and 105th nationally at his position, according to 247Sports. He fielded a total of 53 collegiate offers in high school career, with Virginia, Colorado, Georgia and Pittsburgh as his final four choices. As a senior, he was awarded Independent School League co-MVP honors and averaged over two sacks per game.
