BREAKING: Five-Star Offensive Lineman Olaus Alinen Shocks Alabama with Decommitment, Flips Commitment to Oklahoma Over Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Clemson, and Others
In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the college football recruiting world, five-star offensive lineman Olaus Alinen has officially decommitted from the University of Alabama and flipped his commitment to the University of Oklahoma. The announcement, made through Alinen’s social media platforms, has caught the attention of college football fans, coaches, and analysts alike, as this marks a significant and unexpected shift in one of the most highly coveted recruitments in the 2024 class.
A Highly-Coveted Prospect
Olaus Alinen, a 6’6″, 325-pound offensive lineman from Finland, has been one of the most highly recruited players in the country. Ranked as a five-star recruit by most major scouting services, Alinen’s combination of size, strength, and agility makes him a top-tier prospect capable of making an immediate impact on any college football team. His original commitment to Alabama had placed Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide at the top of the list for the player, who had long been viewed as a cornerstone for a championship-caliber offensive line.
However, in a shocking twist, Alinen has reversed course, deciding to join the Oklahoma Sooners. The move comes after weeks of intense speculation surrounding his recruitment, as the lineman had visited several other top programs, including Texas Tech, Mississippi State, and Clemson, during the summer and fall. While many expected him to either stick with Alabama or potentially flip to another top SEC program, few saw Oklahoma as the landing spot for the highly-touted lineman.
The Alabama Shock
The decommitment from Alabama is particularly surprising given the recent success of the Crimson Tide under Nick Saban. Alabama has been a dominant force in college football, winning multiple national championships in the past two decades and consistently landing top-ranked recruiting classes. The offensive line has been a cornerstone of Alabama’s sustained excellence, and Alinen was seen as the next great player to contribute to that tradition.
Alabama’s offensive line coach, Eric Wolford, had worked hard to build a strong relationship with Alinen, and many in the recruiting world were convinced that the lineman’s commitment to Alabama was firm. However, the decommitment, which comes just a few months before National Signing Day, has sent a ripple through the college football landscape. Saban and his staff now face the challenge of finding a replacement for Alinen, a player whose skill set seemed to perfectly fit into Alabama’s pro-style offense and physical brand of football.
The loss of Alinen, who had been one of Alabama’s top commits, has also raised questions about the recruiting strategy for the program moving forward. Will the Crimson Tide now turn to other top-tier offensive linemen to fill the void? Or could they look to other areas of need on their roster? With National Signing Day fast approaching, Alabama will be under pressure to close the recruiting cycle with a strong finish.
Oklahoma’s Big Win
On the flip side, Oklahoma’s gain is monumental. The Sooners, led by head coach Brent Venables, have been building momentum in the recruiting world since Venables took over the program. While Oklahoma has a storied history in college football, particularly with their offensive prowess, they have faced some challenges on the defensive side of the ball in recent years. Venables, known for his defensive acumen, is aiming to elevate the program across the board, and landing a player of Alinen’s caliber could be a huge step in solidifying the program’s future.
Alinen’s decision to choose Oklahoma is seen as a strong signal of the program’s resurgence under Venables, who has emphasized a well-rounded approach to team-building. The Sooners have already made considerable strides in recruiting, and the addition of a five-star offensive lineman like Alinen could give the team a massive boost in both the short and long term. The Sooners will likely be looking to Alinen to anchor their offensive line for years to come, providing protection for future quarterbacks and contributing to a balanced and powerful offense.
In his announcement, Alinen praised the coaching staff at Oklahoma, particularly Venables and offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh, for their vision and commitment to developing him as both a player and a person. It’s clear that the relationship he formed with the Sooners’ coaching staff played a key role in his decision to flip from Alabama.
The Other Contenders
While Alabama and Oklahoma were the two main schools in Alinen’s recruitment, several other programs were also in the mix. Texas Tech, Mississippi State, and Clemson had all been involved in his recruitment at various points, and each of these schools offered a different appeal to the Finnish prospect.
Texas Tech, under head coach Joey McGuire, has been making strides in recruiting and is attempting to build a competitive program in the Big 12. Mississippi State, led by head coach Zach Arnett, has a strong tradition of developing offensive linemen, and the Bulldogs were one of the teams that Alinen had visited in recent months. Meanwhile, Clemson, under Dabo Swinney, has been a dominant force in the ACC, and their consistent success and ability to develop players on both sides of the ball made them an appealing option for Alinen as well.
However, despite the interest from these programs, it was Oklahoma who ultimately emerged as the best fit for Alinen’s skills and aspirations. The Sooners were able to convince him that they could provide the perfect balance of development, competition, and potential for championships—making them the clear choice for the highly coveted offensive lineman.
Impact on College Football Recruiting
Alinen’s flip to Oklahoma has broader implications for college football recruiting. The loss of a player of his caliber to an up-and-coming program like Oklahoma is a significant statement. It shows that programs outside of the traditional football powers like Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State can still compete for top-tier recruits and win battles for five-star players.
For Alabama, the decommitment serves as a reminder that recruiting is always a fluid and dynamic process. Despite being a program with a long history of success, even the Crimson Tide are not immune to losing high-profile recruits to other programs. Nick Saban and his staff will now have to regroup and refocus their efforts to fill Alinen’s spot and continue their dominance in the recruiting rankings.
For Oklahoma, however, the commitment of Alinen is a statement victory. It shows that the Sooners are on the rise under Brent Venables and are poised to return to national relevance. The addition of a five-star offensive lineman is a clear indication that Oklahoma is building something special, and they will undoubtedly continue to be a major player on the recruiting trail in the coming years.
Conclusion
Olaus Alinen’s decision to flip his commitment from Alabama to Oklahoma is a major storyline in the 2024 recruiting cycle. It has major implications not only for the programs involved but also for the larger landscape of college football recruiting. As National Signing Day approaches, all eyes will be on Alinen and his future with the Oklahoma Sooners, who now have one of the nation’s top offensive linemen in their class.
