NFL Academy's Samu Suominen Provides UMass With Intriguing OL Prospect
The Minutemen added a late member to their 2025 recruiting class with Samu Suominen of Finland.
UMass located a gem half way across the globe in Europe with Samu Suominen.
The Finland native is an offensive lineman, and competed at the NFL Academy.
Prior to that, he was a member of the Wasa Royals.
At 6-foot-4, 308 pounds, he will give UMass’ offensive line coach Kurt Anderson options.
Suominen played predominantly at right guard during his youth years. In highlights, he displayed his ability to overpower the opposition and support the ground game with his run-blocking.
Multiple teams and universities noticed his ability and he had opportunities to play at some smaller colleges. He also attended camps at FBS schools NC State, Wisconsin and Miami-Ohio.
Created by the NFL, The NFL Academy is a development program for players overseas with the potential to play American Football here in the States. It has campuses in England and Australia.
According to the NFL Academy, Suominen left last year’s summer tour without an offer, but worked with his offensive line coach Gavin Collins to improve. Now, the player will be taking his talents from Helsinki to Amherst.
He adds to a growing list of new toys for Anderson and new head coach Joe Harasymiak.
It won’t be easy for Suominen to get instant game time. The Minutemen brought in Kyle Brown, Mike Entwistle and Sullivan Weidman through the transfer portal. They are all experienced guards expected to play roles in their graduate and redshirt-junior campaigns.
But Suominen is another representation of Harasymiak and his staff looking at the long-term foundation just as much as the immediate future.
Despite being part of the Class of 2025, which reported to campus this summer, Suominen didn’t announce his commitment to UMass until June, so he was truly a late addition.
The European wasn’t the flashiest name on the market, but his high motor and passion for the game could earn him a starting spot down the road.
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