Breaking News: Five-Star Offensive Lineman Olaus Alinen Shocks Alabama, Decommits and Flips to Oklahoma Over Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Clemson, and Others
In a bombshell announcement that has shaken the college football recruiting world, five-star offensive lineman Olaus Alinen has decommitted from the University of Alabama and made the decision to flip his commitment to the University of Oklahoma. The 6’6″, 320-pound recruit from Finland, who has been one of the most highly sought-after players in the 2025 recruiting class, made his announcement on social media, sending shockwaves through the college football community.
Alinen, who had originally committed to Alabama in the summer of 2024, had been firmly entrenched in his pledge to the Crimson Tide. His decision to flip to Oklahoma has caught many by surprise, especially after weeks of speculation and visits to several other programs. As a player with immense potential, this is a recruitment decision that is expected to have long-lasting impacts on both programs as well as the overall recruiting landscape.
The Road to Alabama: Early Commitment and Expectations
Olaus Alinen’s recruitment was one of the most closely followed stories of the 2024 recruiting cycle. Having been born in Finland, Alinen had a unique journey to college football, first gaining attention from coaches in Europe before making his way to the United States. His combination of size, athleticism, and versatility on the offensive line made him an instant prospect for top-tier programs across the country.
Alinen’s first major commitment came in the summer of 2024, when he chose Alabama. Head coach Nick Saban and the Alabama staff were thrilled with the decision, as they had been involved in his recruitment since early in the process. His commitment to Alabama appeared to be a perfect fit, as the program has been a perennial powerhouse in college football, and the Crimson Tide have consistently recruited at the highest level. Alinen’s commitment was seen as a key piece in the Tide’s ongoing quest to continue dominating in the trenches and building one of the nation’s top offensive lines.
The hype surrounding Alinen’s commitment to Alabama was considerable. His size and ability to dominate both in pass protection and the run game made him an immediate candidate for early playing time once he arrived in Tuscaloosa. Moreover, Alabama’s reputation for developing NFL-caliber offensive linemen was an appealing factor for Alinen, who had dreams of eventually playing at the next level.
The Shift in Commitment: A Change of Heart
However, as the 2024 college football season unfolded, Alinen began to re-evaluate his future. Despite the initial excitement around his commitment, Alinen was known to be highly strategic in his decision-making process. While Alabama remained a consistent contender in his recruitment, it became clear that other schools were making significant pushes.
Over the course of several months, Alinen took official visits to multiple programs, including Texas Tech, Mississippi State, and Clemson. These visits allowed Alinen to form close relationships with coaching staffs and players from those programs, ultimately influencing his decision-making process. Though Alabama had been at the forefront of his recruitment, it was clear that other schools, including Oklahoma, had begun to make a strong impression.
In particular, Oklahoma’s late push to secure Alinen was a critical factor in his decommitment from Alabama. The Sooners, led by head coach Brent Venables, are building something special in Norman. After a strong 2024 recruiting class and with a rising reputation in the Big 12 and on the national stage, the Sooners had developed a relationship with Alinen that was impossible to ignore. Oklahoma’s offense, which prides itself on physicality and the ability to control the line of scrimmage, was another draw for Alinen, who saw an opportunity to make an immediate impact.
Why Oklahoma: A New Opportunity
In an emotional social media post announcing his flip to Oklahoma, Alinen explained his decision. “I’ve had a great experience with Alabama, and I want to thank Coach Saban and the staff for all their support,” Alinen wrote. “But after a lot of reflection and talking with my family, I feel that Oklahoma is the place where I can grow the most, both as a player and as a person. Coach Venables and the staff there made me feel like I can truly make an impact and be a part of something special. I’m excited to join the Sooner family.”
Alinen’s choice to flip to Oklahoma over Texas Tech, Mississippi State, and Clemson indicates that he is looking for a program where he can make an immediate impact and grow within a strong football culture. Oklahoma, with its offensive system under Brent Venables, provides him with the right platform to display his skills. The Sooners’ offense has become known for being fast-paced and aggressive, which is a system that Alinen believes will allow him to thrive in both the run and pass game.
Additionally, the relationship he built with the coaching staff in Norman was a key factor in his decision. Venables and the Sooners’ offensive line coach have been pivotal in recruiting Alinen, providing him with a clear understanding of how he would be used in their system and how they planned to develop him. Alinen was impressed with the coaching staff’s vision for his role in their offense, and this played a decisive role in his decision.
A Major Get for Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s recruitment of Alinen is seen as a major victory for the program. The Sooners have been steadily improving under head coach Brent Venables, and the addition of a five-star talent like Alinen is a significant boost to their recruiting efforts. The Sooners’ offensive line has been a focus of their recruiting strategy, and adding a player of Alinen’s caliber will only enhance their ability to compete at the highest level.
“Getting a player like Olaus is a huge win for us,” Coach Venables said in a statement following Alinen’s commitment. “He’s a rare talent with tremendous upside, and we’re excited to help him reach his full potential. We believe he can be a foundational piece for us up front, and we can’t wait to see him grow and develop in our system.”
Venables and the Oklahoma staff have long been known for their ability to recruit and develop elite talent, and the addition of Alinen only reinforces that reputation. The Sooners have been quietly building a top-tier recruiting class, and Alinen’s commitment only strengthens their standing in the national landscape.
Impact on Alabama and Other Programs
The news of Alinen’s decommitment from Alabama has sent shockwaves through the program. Alabama had been one of the front-runners to land the five-star lineman, and the loss of Alinen represents a significant blow to their 2025 recruiting class. However, Alabama is known for its ability to rebound quickly in recruiting, and the Crimson Tide are expected to focus their attention on other top-tier offensive line prospects in the coming months.
While Texas Tech, Mississippi State, and Clemson all made strong pushes to land Alinen, Oklahoma’s late momentum proved to be too much to overcome. The decision further illustrates the unpredictable nature of college football recruiting, where even the most secure commitments can change at the drop of a hat.
Looking Ahead
As one of the top-ranked offensive linemen in the 2025 class, Olaus Alinen’s decision to commit to Oklahoma is expected to have a significant impact on the Sooners’ recruiting efforts going forward. His decision to flip will continue to reverberate throughout the recruiting cycle, with other top prospects taking notice of Oklahoma’s rising program.
Alinen now turns his attention to his final season of high school football, preparing for a promising future in Norman. As he transitions from one of the top high school recruits to a college player, Alinen will look to make an immediate impact in the Big 12 and eventually fulfill his dream of playing in the NFL.
With Oklahoma’s continued success on the recruiting trail, the Sooners’ program looks poised for success, and Alinen will be a key piece in their efforts to return to national prominence.
