Fasusi embraces the grind in first spring with Oklahoma football: 'Still learning, still growing'

For Oklahoma freshman offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, the transition from high school football to the demands of the college game has been a challenge, exactly the kind he signed up for.

"It's been hard, definitely," Fasusi said during a recent spring media session. "But that’s one thing I’ve noticed coming in: if it’s not hard, then it’s not worth it. If it’s hard, then it’s worth pursuing.”

Since arriving on campus, the former five-star recruit, Fasusi has been focused on development physically, mentally, and technically. From mastering angles and improving footwork to fine-tuning hand strikes and building football IQ through film study, the early enrollee is soaking it all in. When you're a top-ten player in the country coming out of high school and the biggest recruit in the class, expectations naturally follow. "The whole spring has just been about getting better," he said. "I’m really grateful for it. Having the right people around me my coaches, my teammates, it’s really been helping my game."

Fasusi singled out redshirt freshman Logan Howland as a key mentor in the offensive line room.

"Any mistake I make, Logan’s the first one to come up and help me," Fasusi said. "He’ll break it down and keep me going. It’s good having guys like that on your team."

The freshman has been tested early, going up against Oklahoma’s deep group of defensive linemen, including edge rushers R Mason Thomas, PJ Adebawore, and Taylor Wein. "Mason is quick off the line, has good hands and great eyes. PJ’s strong, tall, and knows how to use his length," he said. "Going against those guys helps me get better."

Of all the matchups, Fasusi lit up when talking about Taylor Wine, who has earned praise this spring.

"It’s just too fun, man. He brings that intensity every rep," Fasusi said. "He’s a hustler, and after reps he’s pulling me aside like, ‘Fasusi, come here, let’s protect John [Mateer].’ That’s my guy."

With his first spring nearly in the books, Fasusi knows the road ahead isn’t easy but he’s here for all of it.

"I'm still learning, still growing. But I know what I want to be," he said. "So I'm putting my head in the film, working on my technique, and just developing off that."