Freshman offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, a Nigerian native, is preparing to play football on the big stage.
“My vision of America from Nigeria, the land of opportunities is what I (saw) it as, and coming here, I was like, it’s really what it is for real and giving God all the praise for that,” Fasusi said. “(I am) just trying to use all the resources the best I can because it’s unlimited.”
The 6-foot-5 Nigerian did not move to the United States until 2020 and lived in Houston, Texas with his cousins at first for about two months before making Lewisville, Texas his home. For Fasusi, football did not even hold a thought in his mind prior to arriving in Texas, but once he stumbled upon a video of Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, he was sold.
“Never heard of American football ever in my life, grew up playing soccer – football (for Nigerians) … Came here and the way I really learned about football was I searched up the score about a soccer match back at home, and I searched up football. I saw, I think it was Ray Lewis or some guy. He just pops the guy, and ‘Oh, I’m doing this.’ I didn’t make up my mind at that point (but) like, ‘Oh yeah, I can for sure see myself doing this,’” Fasusi said. “Then coming into Lewisville (in) ninth grade, I said I had the right support system around me with that and came on the last day of tryouts, man, and (coach) said, ‘Mike, you going to be on A-team.’
“Ever since then, I’ve been playing football.”
Fasusi did not just compete for Lewisville High School though; he developed into one of the best players in the country too. After earning Texas District 6-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore and 2025 Under Armour All-American Bowl and 2025 Polynesian Bowl selections as a senior, Fasusi was touted as a consensus five-star and top-25 national prospect. With all of the attention around the country, many programs pursued Fasusi before he ultimately chose Oklahoma.
Despite Fasusi’s rise in high school, all of it is still very surreal to him. However, he stays motivated through his faith.
“I just woke up one night (and realized) I’m at the University of Oklahoma, so it’s like, ‘Who put me here? God did.’ So it’s like, if God put me here, I have no choice but to just … be the best. I really just don’t like slacking,” Fasusi said. “It’s just how it is. Like, if there’s something that has to be done, it has to be done.”
Fasusi remains driven to perform to the best of his ability and help lead the offensive line to success in 2025. However, the task proves to be difficult.
The line contributed to the offense’s ranking of 203rd in the country in total yards per game, and an injury-riddled unit was part of the cause. Offensive linemen, senior Jacob Sexton, redshirt senior Jake Taylor, former Sooner Geirean Hatchet and senior Troy Everett, all missed varying amounts of time. Without a consistent group, the unit struggled to have strong performances from game to game and posed a weakness for the team.
Fasusi, however, works to change the narrative of the offensive line.
“I see myself adding to this offensive line with my knowledge, my aggressiveness and really just my style of football,” Fasusi said. “I see the game as fun, and bringing that energy to the group, I know it’s going to help us get even better.”
Fasusi is young though and relies on older players like redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Logan Howland, sophomore offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis, among others.
Howland, a three-star-recruit out of high school, played in all 13 games in 2024 – a rarity for the offensive line – and started six. Pierre-Louis, however, a four-star recruit, appeared in only four games but empathizes with feelings of being a high-ranked offensive lineman in high school.
Between Howland, Pierre-Louis and others, Fasusi has continued support for all moments.
“I lean on Logan Howland a lot – know he’s been a guy that’s really been helping me … Any given mistake I make, except for coach being the first person to come up to me, Logan’s going to come up on the side, ‘You can do this, you can do this’, just giving me inspiration to just keep going,” Fasusi said. “Just good having guys like that on the team. And it’s more than guys like just Logan too – guys like Eddy (and) the whole O line.
“Everybody’s on each other.”
Also encouraging the Nigerian freshman, offensive analyst Kevin Wilson, who rejoined the Sooners in February, has developed a strong bond with Fasusi.
Wilson, an offensive line coach and offensive coordinator under former head coach Bob Stoops, helped lead the Sooners to six Big 12 Championships and three national championship appearances (2003, 2004 and 2008) from 2002-10. Wilson then spent time in Indiana and Tulsa as a head coach before his return.
Fasusi reaps benefits from both Wilson’s knowledge and his character.
“He’s really been a guy that just adds so much to us – overall (and) O line,” Fasusi said. “First time meeting him, amazing guy. He’s also funny too … That’s my guy, man. From that development part of everything too, his knowledge of the game is amazing. Man, he coached guys like Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, so it’s great to have this type of knowledge.”
Through taking in his own motivation and the help of older players and coaches, Fasusi has been working diligently in spring practice to adjust to the demands of college football.
“I really say the speed was really more adjusting to it, working on my footwork, knowing what angles – how much that is important in the game … Really, going home, watching film and then I’m asking coaches, ‘What can I do to make this better,’” Fasusi said. “I’m still learning, and I’m not perfect at everything.”
As Fasusi continues to learn and help the offensive line improve, he recognizes that preparing to compete in the SEC, one of the most well-regarded and viewed conferences in college football, is a challenge. However, the Nigerian native rejoices in the opportunities to embrace the love he developed in 2020.
“It’s hard. That’s one thing I’ve noticed coming in is that if it’s not hard, it’s not working. But if it’s hard, it’s working, so (I am) getting better because of it,” Fasusi said. “I’m glad it’s hard because I want to get better at the end of the day.”
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