Recruiting Report: Michael Olowo (2021)

<span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">The <span style="color: #3366ff">Rogers Royals </span>are coming off a 13-0 victory over the Andover Huskies last Friday placing them at 1-1 for the season, and it is no surprise that junior DB/WR/RB <strong>Michael Olowo </strong>was all over the field for the <span style="color: #3366ff">Royals</span>. After playing mostly defense his sophomore season of 2018, <strong>Olowo </strong>is now featured in the offense much more heavily, and caught a 50-yard bomb to set up a TD for Rogers late in the 3rd quarter of Friday night's contest, while also completely locking down an entire half of the field while playing his usual position at corner. With the help of his teammates, <strong>Olowo </strong>and the <span style="color: #3366ff">Royals </span>have already matched their win total from last season, and there are big hopes on the horizon for the 5A squad. When you hear a little bit more about the 6'2 190 lb. Rogers native, it really shouldn't come to anyones surprise that <strong>Olowo </strong>and his team are poised for big things. </span> [caption id="attachment_12008" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Credit: Michael Olowo[/caption] <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Last season, <strong>Olowo </strong>played nine games and recorded 67 tackles, 3 FRs, 2 INTs, and 9 PDs. He was already one of the best DBs in the state his sophomore season, and followed up his performance in football by running a 10.84 in the 100 M, making him as one of the fastest players in the state as well. This athleticism made sense once I talked to <strong>Olowo </strong>for an interview with <em>Northstar Football News</em> this past week. He told me that he has had cousins play Power-5 football at both Iowa State and Minnesota. The latter cousin should not be too far from anyone's memory: Kunle Ayinde. The former walk-on from Blaine became a captain and two year starter for the Golden Gophers, and <strong>Olowo</strong> hopes to follow in his and his other cousins success on the gridiron. Success definitely had to be fought for last season, as <strong>Olowo </strong>told me that the <span style="color: #3366ff">Royals</span> lost a lot of close games that the team just couldn't close out. They changed that narrative last Friday, and with <strong>Olowo </strong>having an offseason that included his run at state in the 100 M, working on "recognizing and confusing quarterbacks, such as baiting them into throws and disguising coverages" to build on his coverage skills from last year, and hitting the weight room to where the junior can bench 220, squat 410, and 260 clean, I can safely assume that <strong>Olowo's </strong>narrative has only begun. </span> [caption id="attachment_12006" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Credit: Michael Olowo[/caption] <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif"><strong>Olowo </strong>told <em>Northstar </em>that his recruitment began last year after his success on the track. He told me that "I got mail from Duke, Minnesota, and the Naval Academy. It felt good to be getting recruited, I always saw how some of my cousins went on to play D1 and it looked like something I wanted to do and work for." He elaborated by telling me that some schools "interested in me right now are Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa State, UNI, and South Dakota. I'm really interested in Minnesota, Michigan State, and Ohio State...I really like Minnesota's culture and how they've really turned the program around and I'd like to be apart of the hometown team, it'd be really special." He went onto say that "I can bring a lot of versatility. Any position you need speed at I can fill that gap. At this point I'm just waiting for a college that wants me and a college that can help me graduate and become successful. Right now I'm being open minded on any college that contacts me." I have a feeling offers should be coming in soon, and <strong>Olowo </strong>explained to me that it's definitely not D1 or bust. I agree with the coaches who have told him that "they're excited to watch my season this year unfold", because just as <strong>Olowo </strong>puts it: "put a fast guy on the field and he can do a lot." Keep your eyes out for <strong>Olowo </strong>and the <span style="color: #3366ff">Rogers Royals </span>in 2019.</span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Sophomore Hudl: <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9730892/5c5d8c9abd757b085cd6c064">https://www.hudl.com/video/3/9730892/5c5d8c9abd757b085cd6c064</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Moorhead highlights from two weeks ago: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2Bb8cA">http://www.hudl.com/v/2Bb8cA</a></span> <span style="font-family: 'times new roman', times, serif">Andover film from Friday: <a href="http://www.hudl.com/v/2BfXaV">http://www.hudl.com/v/2BfXaV</a></span>