The Colorado Buffaloes’ new defensive end duo of Dayon Hayes and Samuel Okunlola describe themselves as a “one-two punch.”
“He’s speed, I’m a little power,” Hayes said, describing what Okunlola brings when they’re on the field together. “That’s my dog.”
According to Hayes, a graduate student, their on-field dynamic fueled his decision to follow Okunlola, a redshirt sophomore, to Boulder. Both players came from Pittsburgh, spending the last two years in the same position room before opting to spend a third in some new scenery.
Despite the age difference, both had breakout seasons for the Panthers in 2023. Hayes became a starter as a senior, racking up a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss while securing four sacks. Okunlola, who didn’t get a starting nod until the final two games of the season, managed to make six tackles for loss and tied a team-high five sacks in 11 appearances as a redshirt freshman.
While it took a few years, on-field coordination was certain from the first time they met.
“On his official visit, I met him,” Hayes said. “He came to the game and we (became) roommates. So, I taught him what I taught him, but he taught me a lot of stuff too. So we learned from each other.”
Now in Colorado, both having grown up on the East Coast, their strong friendship has helped them navigate a new place with plenty of eyeballs on it.
“He's a great friend, great resource,” Okunlola said about Hayes’ help. “You can always ask him questions. So yeah, definitely a great teammate to have.”
The final piece to the puzzle, however, is finding the success CU head coach Deion Sanders promised to Hayes and Okunlola, and the rest of the college football world. So far, the former Panthers have found that their bond has to apply to the whole defensive line for Coach Prime’s word to hold.
For Hayes and Okunlola, seeking out connections with new teammates started with newly hired defensive senior control analyst Warren Sapp and newly promoted D-line coach Damione Lewis. Combining to play 23 NFL seasons, the two have preached an unselfish ideology to the former Panthers and their D-line.
“They really just teach us all about the little stuff,” Hayes said about Sapp and Lewis. “Just do your job, every play isn't your play. They're really teaching me how to just be cool and just do my job. And they got good personalities. They got personality like me.”
Naturally, the extensive experience, player-coach relationships and “do your job” mentality have enforced Colorado’s consistent training camp theme of brotherhood among the players. Each unit has spent off-the-field time to strengthen its overall camaraderie, especially because of the number of new additions.
When Aug. 29 rolls around, the North Dakota State Bison, who thrive on teamwork at the FCS level, will put the Buffs to the test. Like his head coach, Hayes has faith in himself and his boys.
“I think we're coming together good, honestly,” Hayes said. “Coming from different places, we gotta build that bond, and we've been doing a lot of stuff off the field, like going to hibachi and stuff. So we definitely locked in.”
Cover photo by CU Athletics
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