Ohio State Football: Finnish-born offensive tackle Olaus Alinen visits

Olaus Alinen is an extremely skilled and versatile offensive tackle from the class of 2023 that visited the Ohio State football team a week ago. The 6’6, 315-pound tackle was born in Pori, Finland, and moved to the United States to pursue a football scholarship in early 2021. His father Klaus Alinen played tight end for Berlin in NFL Europe and was the first Finnish-born player to sign a contract with an NFL team, spending the 2006 preseason with the Atlanta Falcons.

“My move has been smooth coming from Finland and I adjusted well. Life isn’t that different. My dad playing in the league has given me a good idea on what it takes and he has always been an awesome support with my mom,” Alinen told me in a recent interview. “I think my strengths are my athleticism to make blocks, hips, good technique, IQ, and physicality.”

https://twitter.com/alinen_olaus/status/1502069644957519878

After playing hockey, soccer, and wrestling growing up, Alinen moved to the sport his father played when youth football was offered in his hometown. The 13-year-old showed a lot of potential, continued to develop on the field, and was competing in a U20 league less than three years later. He also played one season in the Vaahteraliiga (Maple League), the highest division of American football in Finland, and was named first team All-Europe as a left guard.

Since moving to the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut a year ago, Alinen has picked up dozens of offers from the best programs in the country. According to 247 Sports, he is the top-ranked junior in Connecticut and the 14th ranked offensive tackle. Alinen currently has 44 offers including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Penn State, Texas, Texas A&M, USC, and many others. Ohio State offered him on December 15, 2021.

Alinen also provided an update on where the Buckeyes stand and his recruiting process as a whole: “Ohio State has been great with me and is one of my top schools. I’ll cut my list in the next couple days down to 10 and I hope to commit before the season. NIL is not a thing I’m really looking for to be honest. It is a positive thing but not my main priority.”

https://twitter.com/alinen_olaus/status/1501676177769078786

Justin Frye, the Buckeyes’ first-year offensive line coach, has reached out to the talented tackle on multiple occasions as the Ohio State football program hopes to bring him in. Frye had a couple of conversations with Alinen on the phone and attended his basketball practice in mid-January. In addition to Ohio State, he is also heavily considering Alabama, Florida, Miami, Penn State, Stanford, Texas and more. He previously said the Crimson Tide were “at the top” of his list.

Alinen visited Alabama on November 23, 2021.

247 Sports national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn discussed Alinen’s ability: “Massive frame with slight plus length and position versatility as a right or left tackle. Bends well and has fluidity throughout frame. Combines impressive strength and athleticism. Plays aggressively and remains engaged on blocks. Sinks hips and uncoils well when engaging defender. Shows foot speed and is technically sound with steps when pulling.”