Offensive Tackle Olaus Alinen Details Official Visit To Tuscaloosa as He Nears College Decision
The University of Alabama football program hosted a major recruiting this past weekend as Nick Saban and his staff zero in on the class of 2023. Several big names were in Tuscaloosa including Louisiana quarterback Arch Manning and a number of high profile offensive lineman.
One of the most unique prospects that came to The Capstone was an offensive lineman from Finland, Olaus Alinen. The 4-star tackle, who moved to Connecticut for his junior year of high school, joined The Game with Ryan Fowler on Monday to recap his visit and talk about his recruitment.
"I mean, it was great, it was a good time," said Alinen. "I mean, it was really the full package, you get to spend a lot of time with the coaches and the players. You get to meet a lot of people, you get to see academics, athletics, all of that stuff. So you really get a good feeling about what the program's all about when you do an official visit."
Alinen is taking an official visit to Georgia this coming weekend but plans on making his college decision in July. He plans on majoring in business and wants to choose a school that will prepare him for life and for football at the highest level.
"I mean, really for me being able to get developed and get prepared for the next level is probably the number one thing I'm looking at. The coaches, what type of players they've developed, how do they coach you, what techniques they teach you and also like the support staff with strength and conditioning and nutrition, sports science and all that. So that those are second to none, and then it comes down to the fit, like, can I see myself being there with those people. Like, the vibe of the players is really important, are they like similar people and just the place too, do I enjoy being at this place?"
Alinen's father, Klaus, played tight end in NFL Europe for the Berlin Thunder for three seasons and was invited to camps with the Atlanta Falcons but never cracked a NFL roster. Alinen was introduced to the game when his father started a youth football league in Finland and he began to play for the team.
His father still appears to be very athletic, putting doubt in the mind of the 6-foot-6 tackle's mind if he could block his father.
"It's probably hard to move him, but I will say I'd be able to cover him in a way that the running back gets to the spot he needs to go but I'm not sure if I'd be able to drive him up the field that easily," said Alinen, respectfully.
The full interview can be heard using the following link. Don't miss any of the action as Ryan Fowler hosts The Game each weekday on Tide1009 FM from 2-6 p.m.