5-star OT Michael Fasusi commits to Oklahoma: 'They never disappointed me in any area from the start'
Lewisville (Texas) five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi has committed to Oklahoma. When he ranked his schools at the end, leading up to his decision, Oklahoma finished No. 1, Texas A&M finished No. 2 and Texas finished No. 3.
At various times, the No. 12 prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking had different schools in different spots on his list through the process, but since the official visit to Norman on the weekend of June 14, the Sooners have been on top.
“I almost committed on the official visit to Oklahoma,” Fasusi told On3. “That visit to Norman really summed it all up. It wasn’t just me, but my family felt it too. The coaches did more than impress me, they made my family feel comfortable and we all felt the love.
“It was just the feeling and the plan on that visit that made a big impact. Hearing the coaches, seeing how they wanted me and that feeling was different.
“Texas A&M made a big move in the spring and I went to Texas that next week for my official visit to make sure of my feelings. When I left Texas, I knew my feelings for Oklahoma were real.”
The people at Oklahoma made a difference with Fasusi
On Aug. 7, Fasusi and his family got on a facetime call with Brent Venables. That was the day the commitment was made. Fasusi thinks highly of the Oklahoma head coach.
“A lot of prayer went into my decision,” Fasusi said. “God really helped me and my family with this decision. Coach Venables is a man of faith too. He is just a great person that cares about his players. Everything coach Venables told me along the way, I believed. Who he is, is somebody I want to play for.”
Venables and the support staff played a role in Fasusi’s decision, but nobody in Norman played a bigger role than offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh.
“Coach B coaches at a high level, and I really believe I will be in good hands. He was a key piece in my decision. People don’t know this, but he is a funny guy. What stands out most is how real he is. His numbers with developing offensive linemen are more than impressive, but he never talks about them. He is not that guy. Coach B is humble, he is real and he is honest. Our relationship is deep.”
The No. 3 offensive tackle in the country plans to go in, work hard, listen to coach Bedenbaugh and make a big impact in Norman.
“I am ready for the challenge. My goal has always been to go into school and play early. It won’t be all me. I will work with coach B, I will have great support and the people at Oklahoma will help me grow and develop.”
The plan Oklahoma has for Fasusi pushed the Sooners to the top
Fasusi finished with 44 offers. After visiting Norman for the first time in the spring of 2023, he started to look at the Sooners differently. He got his parents on campus for the first time on July 25 of last year. It took off from there.
He made a “very tough” decision. Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M were “great options”, but the Sooners ended up on top. It came down to more than just playing in the SEC on Saturdays.
“Their plan for me is more than just football,” Fasusi said. “They have a great plan for me to grow and to develop. At Oklahoma, I can get developed as a player and a man. Coach B and coach V – I trust them both. They did a great job recruiting me and my family.
“Many schools don’t understand that it isn’t just about the kid, but you have to get to know the family too. Oklahoma did an amazing job of that. They made sure my family knew we could trust them. Oklahoma did that from the start and that never changed. It took me a while to see who they were, how they were different and just who they were with me and my family. They never changed.”
The commitment is made. Fasusi isn’t going to completely shut the door. He is a relationships guy and he will keep those going with coaches at other schools, but that doesn’t mean his commitment is firm.
“I am 1000% confident in my decision to commit to Oklahoma. They never disappointed me in any area from the start. I love the environment, the people are real and Norman is a great place.”