David Folorunsho, the nation’s No. 3 defensive tackle out of Chicago (Ill.), made his way down to Miami this spring to get his first in-person look at the Hurricanes. After the visit, Folorunsho spoke about where things stand in his recruitment and why Miami has surged to the top of his board.
Question: You were finally able to get down here this spring—what was that experience like for you?
David Folorunsho: It was great. Just getting to see the intensity of practice and all that, it’s a whole other level. I was able to learn something new to take back home. It was wonderful.
Question: Miami has been on your radar for a while. Now that you’ve seen it in person, how does that change your view of the program?
David Folorunsho: It was everything I expected and more. High-intensity practice—you can tell everybody cares about the guys here, especially on the D-line and in the trenches in general. They’re definitely a top school for me.
Question: What has been the message from the Miami staff—Coach Hetherman, Coach Prince, and the rest—during your visit?
David Folorunsho: The main thing is they made me feel like a priority. They showed me how I’d fit perfectly in the defense and how they’d use the things I do well. That was the biggest thing I took from it.
Question: Coming from Chicago, seeing guys from your area have success here—what does that mean to you?
David Folorunsho: It means a lot. Seeing how they develop those guys—like Justin Scott—I played against him my freshman year. Watching his development from high school to now being a potential NFL prospect, that’s crazy. It shows how much development really happens here at Miami.
Question: After this visit, where does Miami stand in your recruitment?
David Folorunsho: They’re definitely the team to beat. The visit went great. I was really excited to finally make it down here after missing the last one. It was everything I expected and more.
Question: What other schools are you strongly considering right now?
David Folorunsho: Texas Tech, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Georgia are up there.
Question: Have you started setting your official visit schedule?
David Folorunsho: Right now I have Notre Dame, Georgia, and Miami. Notre Dame is June 12th, and Georgia should be around June 5th to the 7th. I’m still working on locking in the Miami one.
Question: Any other visits coming up?
David Folorunsho: Notre Dame and Texas.
Question: From an NFL development standpoint, seeing guys like Reuben Bain and Mesidor—how much does that factor into your decision?
David Folorunsho: A lot. Watching those guys dominate every game, I use them for film study all the time. Getting to see Bain and Mesidor in person today—it’s crazy. And seeing them come back and support the team, it shows they really like being here.
Question: You got to spend time with Coach Damione Lewis—what stood out from that?
David Folorunsho: I got a lot of time with him. The biggest thing was that he made me feel like a priority. And again, just seeing how I’d fit into the defense—that was the top thing I took from the visit.
Question: What were your impressions of Miami as a city and campus?
David Folorunsho: It’s beautiful. You don’t see iguanas and peacocks in a lot of other places. But beyond that, you can tell it’s great people and a great community—everything you’d want in a school.
Question: Last thing—what stands out about Coach Stroud and Coach Prince in your recruitment?
David Folorunsho: Coach Stroud is the best. You can tell he’s always 100% honest—there’s nothing he’s hiding. Coach Prince is just a genuine person you can talk to about anything, and he coaches hard. I watch Miami practice clips all the time, and you can see how intense and passionate he is. That’s huge for me, seeing I could be part of that.
Question: You were finally able to get down here this spring—what was that experience like for you?
David Folorunsho: It was great. Just getting to see the intensity of practice and all that, it’s a whole other level. I was able to learn something new to take back home. It was wonderful.
Question: Miami has been on your radar for a while. Now that you’ve seen it in person, how does that change your view of the program?
David Folorunsho: It was everything I expected and more. High-intensity practice—you can tell everybody cares about the guys here, especially on the D-line and in the trenches in general. They’re definitely a top school for me.
Question: What has been the message from the Miami staff—Coach Hetherman, Coach Prince, and the rest—during your visit?
David Folorunsho: The main thing is they made me feel like a priority. They showed me how I’d fit perfectly in the defense and how they’d use the things I do well. That was the biggest thing I took from it.
Question: Coming from Chicago, seeing guys from your area have success here—what does that mean to you?
David Folorunsho: It means a lot. Seeing how they develop those guys—like Justin Scott—I played against him my freshman year. Watching his development from high school to now being a potential NFL prospect, that’s crazy. It shows how much development really happens here at Miami.
Question: After this visit, where does Miami stand in your recruitment?
David Folorunsho: They’re definitely the team to beat. The visit went great. I was really excited to finally make it down here after missing the last one. It was everything I expected and more.
Question: What other schools are you strongly considering right now?
David Folorunsho: Texas Tech, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Georgia are up there.
Question: Have you started setting your official visit schedule?
David Folorunsho: Right now I have Notre Dame, Georgia, and Miami. Notre Dame is June 12th, and Georgia should be around June 5th to the 7th. I’m still working on locking in the Miami one.
Question: Any other visits coming up?
David Folorunsho: Notre Dame and Texas.
Question: From an NFL development standpoint, seeing guys like Reuben Bain and Mesidor—how much does that factor into your decision?
David Folorunsho: A lot. Watching those guys dominate every game, I use them for film study all the time. Getting to see Bain and Mesidor in person today—it’s crazy. And seeing them come back and support the team, it shows they really like being here.
Question: You got to spend time with Coach Damione Lewis—what stood out from that?
David Folorunsho: I got a lot of time with him. The biggest thing was that he made me feel like a priority. And again, just seeing how I’d fit into the defense—that was the top thing I took from the visit.
Question: What were your impressions of Miami as a city and campus?
David Folorunsho: It’s beautiful. You don’t see iguanas and peacocks in a lot of other places. But beyond that, you can tell it’s great people and a great community—everything you’d want in a school.
Question: Last thing—what stands out about Coach Stroud and Coach Prince in your recruitment?
David Folorunsho: Coach Stroud is the best. You can tell he’s always 100% honest—there’s nothing he’s hiding. Coach Prince is just a genuine person you can talk to about anything, and he coaches hard. I watch Miami practice clips all the time, and you can see how intense and passionate he is. That’s huge for me, seeing I could be part of that.
