Tunmise Adeleye

RS Junior

Transfer Michigan St

Tunmise (Too-Mee-Che') Adeleye (Add - Uh-Lay) represents, to me, a fusion of TJ Finley and Brey Walker. However, he may be lacking a crucial element that limits his effectiveness on the field. Allow me to elaborate. Similar to Brey, Tunmise was a 5-star Top 15 national recruit according to Rivals in 2020. Like TJ, Tunmise is an exceptional interview and conveys maturity, intelligence, and professionalism. Like both Brey and TJ, Adeleye has a strong family and supportive system, and it shows in his interviews, making it easy to root for him.

Now, what's the "issue"? Why has this former "5-star" player performed at a "2-3 star" level? One aspect we can all agree on is that it's not due to his physical abilities. Adeleye, a 6'4" 290 lbs DL, possesses agility and athleticism exceeding that of some of our skill players.

Here's a Rivals video discussing and showcasing Tunmise's physical abilities. It's crucial to note how the Rivals evaluators mispronounced his name, suggesting they never interviewed him. Their assessment appears to be solely based on his size and offers – a simplistic approach that anyone can do.

Measurables are also a key part of my evaluations, but just 1/3 of my overall score.

Measurables + Skill + Other = Production

If physical attributes are not the issue, what skills does Tunmise lack, or is there some "other," such as an injury, affecting his production?

In my view, Tunmise seems to be struggling to play with the required aggression and violence to be a successful defensive lineman. The clip below is an example. While Tunmise makes the play and considers it a highlight, I perceive it as example of why he has faced challenges in college so far.

In this video, Tunmise, the 5-star recruit, is pushed back by the right tackle #74 by 3-4 yards. While this might be ok against inferior competition in high school, it becomes a significant obstacle at the D1 level. Ideally, #74 should have been the one pushed into the backfield or lying on his back, allowing Tunmise to make the play. #74 should have a sense of fear against someone of Tunmise's caliber.

Tunmise comes across as a nice guy who will probably excel in non-football aspects of life. However, football is a violent sport, and that might pose a challenge for him. His mother has expressed concerns about potential injuries, which could be subconsciously affecting his play. Despite this, he flashed against App State at Texas A&M, indicating the potential is there. Hopefully, he can tap into that potential, starting with his work in the weight room with Coach Huth.

3.75 Stars