Pinstripe Bowl Both A Glimpse Into Maryland's Future, Chance To Validate Present

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — When defensive end Sam Okuayinonu arrived in College Park back in 2019, no one, not even new coach Mike Locksley and his staff, knew what to make of the junior college transfer from Lowell, Mass. On one hand, Okuayinonu popped on film with his explosiveness and reverberating hits. On the other, he was beating linemen and racking up sacks at a Minnesota JUCO (Mesabi Range) that played 7-on-7 football and faced rather subpar competition.