Sam Okuayinonu

PERSONAL:

• Majored in African-American Studies and Kinesiology at Maryland. • Mother is Clara Okuayinonu. • Attended Lowell (MA) HS and was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports after just one year of football. • Born Samuel Okuayinonu (5/1/98) in Monrovia, Lib
• Is of Liberian and Nigerian descent.
• Last name is pronounced oh-kwu-AHN-new.
• Okuayinonu has his mother's middle name 'Deakonti' tattooed on his right forearm. In his native language, Bassa, the word means 'Everything has time.' He has used this phrase to re- main motivated during difficult times in his life, including the ups and downs of playing professional football.

PERSONAL:

• Majored in African-American Studies and Kinesiology at Maryland. • Mother is Clara Okuayinonu. • Attended Lowell (MA) HS and was rated a three-star recruit by 247Sports after just one year of football. • Born Samuel Okuayinonu (5/1/98) in Monrovia, Lib
• Is of Liberian and Nigerian descent.
• Last name is pronounced oh-kwu-AHN-new.
• Okuayinonu has his mother's middle name 'Deakonti' tattooed on his right forearm. In his native language, Bassa, the word means 'Everything has time.' He has used this phrase to re- main motivated during difficult times in his life, including the ups and downs of playing professional football.

COLLEGE:

• Appeared in 28 games (17 starts) in three seasons at Maryland (2019-21) and registered 103 tackles, 14.5 TFLs and 7.5 sacks after spending one year (2017) at Mesabi Range Community College (MN). As a redshirt senior in 2021, received third team All-Big Ten recognition after starting all 12 games and registering 55 tackles, 8.5 TFLs and a team-leading 6.0 sacks. In 2020, appeared in 5 games (4 starts) and registered 17 tackles, 1.5 TFLs and 0.5 sack. As a junior, appeared in 11 games (1 start) and registered 31 tackles, 4.5 TFLs and 1.0 sack. Transferred to Maryland from Mesabi Range Community College. In 2018, was named the Minnesota College Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year after starting in all 10 games and registering 62 tackles, 21.5 TFLs, 17.5 sacks, 1 FF and 1 FR.