Fresh Faces: Injury Not Preventing Oklahoma OL Darius Afalava From Getting Better

Darius Afalava has learned the art of patience during the spring.

Afalava, a guard from Utah, suffered an injury late in his high school career before enrolling at Oklahoma. He didn’t suit up in any of the Sooners’ spring practices or the Crimson Combine.

Still, those around him expect him to be impactful once he’s healthy.

“Big, strong, powerful,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said. “Comes from another great program and that group overall is just powerful, athletic, incredibly physical and physically tough.”

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 345 pounds, Afalava is the second-heaviest member of OU’s offensive line, behind only fellow freshman Owen Hollenbeck (348). Rivals graded him as a 4-star prospect, while 247Sports, On3 and ESPN gave him a 3-star designation.

Afalava’s size and physicality makes him someone that can make an immediate impact at the collegiate level, according to 247Sports recruiting analyst Greg Biggins.

“With his size, toughness and strength, Afalava looks capable of competing for early playing time at the next level, and if he can continue to improve his overall athleticism, he has an NFL upside for sure,” Biggins wrote. “He’s among the most physical lineman out west and just mauls opposing defensive linemen.”

Though Afalava couldn’t go full speed during the spring, he still found ways to learn.

One of the primary reasons Afalava chose OU over offers from Utah, Michigan State, Washington and other major programs is offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.

Afalava’s position coach has already been a mentor for him.

“Being here for only two months, I’ve learned so much,” Afalava said. “I’ve learned more than I learned in my four years of playing football. It’s been really good.”