Tales of the Tape: Olalere Oladipo is a priority target for the Illinois defensive line

Recruiting rankings aren't the entire story for high school football players. To get a better feel for the entire picture, Len Fuller will be watching film of Fighting Illini football's recruiting targets and verbal commitments. Today he'll be providing a quick scouting report of Illinois target Olalere Oladipo

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Grading Scale

9.5 - 10.0 = Five-Star
8.0 - 9.0 = Four-Star
7.0 - 7.5 = High Three-Star
6.0 - 6.5 = Middle Three-Star
5.0 - 5.5 = Low Three-Star
Under 5.0 = Two-Star

Olalere Oladipo (IL) | 2017 DE

Power 5 Offer List: Illinois, California, Duke, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan State, Minnesota, Missouri, Syracuse, Penn State

The defensive line is a huge area of need for Fighting Illini football, and that makes Olalere Oladipo’s recruitment that much more important. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Illinois native is one of the program’s top targets, regardless of class. Oladipo is ranked as a three-star prospect by both 247Sports (No. 1035 overall player) and Scout.

HUDL Highlights

Scouting Report

Oladipo is very aggressive and nasty on the gridiron; he’s a big hitter that seems to relish contact, and he goes 100% until the whistle is blown. Oladipo has so far shown equal ability against the pass and run, although he’ll need to work on his hand placement and technique to shed blockers more efficiently.

Overall, the 6-foot-3 lineman has excellent speed, quickness, burst, strength, and power. He may be able to play both WDE and SDE at the next level. Oladipo seems to play with a joy and energy that should be contagious with teammates on the field. He has a ton of upside, and is one of my favorite offers by Lovie Smith and the coaching staff.

Final Rating: 7.5 - 8.0 (High Three-Star/Four-Star)