Brent Venables doesn’t sound like a coach talking about a player who is still early in his college career. He sounds like someone who already knows exactly what he has in Michael Fasusi.
"Love Mike," Venables said via Oklahoma's Own. "Powerful, amazing leader, tremendous humility, and uniquely consistent."
That kind of praise carries weight, especially when it comes from a coach describing a true freshman who arrived in Norman with huge expectations. Oklahoma landed Fasusi as one of the biggest wins in the 2025 recruiting class, beating out the Texas Longhorns, among others, for the five-star offensive tackle. He came in ranked as the No. 8 overall prospect and the No. 1 player at his position.
Fasusi wasted no time living up to the billing. He appeared in 11 games and made 10 starts as a true freshman, logging 676 snaps, according to PFF.
On 395 pass-blocking snaps last season, he allowed just four sacks. That production earned him true freshman All-American honors from On3.
For Oklahoma, the appeal is obvious. Fasusi brings power, consistency and pass protection that already look advanced for his age, and he’s expected to be a major piece of the offensive line again this season. There’s also a bigger ceiling attached to all of this: he has the upside to become a future first-round NFL draft pick.
Venables’ comments make clear that the staff sees more than just the physical traits. Fasusi’s leadership and humility have stood out, too, and that has only added to the impression he’s made in a short time.
Looking ahead, his development could end up being one of the key storylines for Oklahoma’s offense in 2026. The Sooners are bringing back a more experienced offensive line, and if Fasusi keeps moving at this pace, he could be the kind of anchor that helps quarterback John Mateer and the offense take another step forward.
If that trajectory holds, Fasusi has a chance to become one of the premier offensive tackles in college football. Oklahoma already believes it has something special. So far, Fasusi has done plenty to back that up.
In Other News...
Four Former Sooners Are Suddenly Fighting For Their NFL Futures
With NFL teams facing a Sunday deadline to trim rosters, several former Oklahoma players are in the thick of the final cutdown scramble. Deion Burks, Trace Ford, Sterling Shepard and Robert Spears-Jennings are all trying to turn promising preseason moments into something more permanent, even as the numbers game across the league makes every spot harder to secure.
For Sooners fans, it is a reminder that August can be just as consequential as the regular season for players trying to stick in the pros. Each of these former OU standouts has put something on tape, but the next few days will decide whether that work earns an active-roster place or leaves them waiting on the other side of the cut. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Just Revealed Who Will Set The Tone This Season
Oklahoma has settled on the voices it wants setting the standard this fall, naming nine team captains ahead of the opener. The group spans the roster, from offensive linemen Jake Maikkula, Eddy Pierre-Louis and sophomore Michael Fasusi to quarterback John Mateer and defensive standouts David Stone, Taylor Wein, Kip Lewis, Owen Heinecke and Peyton Bowen, giving the Sooners a leadership mix that touches every phase of the team.
Fasusis inclusion stands out most, since he is the first sophomore captain since 2024 and the first sophomore offensive lineman to earn the honor since 2019. Several of the captains addressed what leadership means during media availability, a sign Oklahoma is trying to define its identity early as it prepares to open the season against UTEP on Sept. 4. [Read more 🡒]
Oklahoma Added A Transfer Brent Venables Could Use All Over The Field
Oklahoma kept busy in the transfer portal this offseason, bringing in 16 newcomers and adding another layer to a defense that already has some experience at linebacker. Among the additions is Cole Sullivan, who arrives from Michigan with the kind of profile Brent Venables tends to value: versatility, leadership and the ability to help on special teams while learning multiple roles.
Venables has made it clear Sullivan can be used all over the field, which matters for a defense that likes flexibility and depth. Sullivans path to Norman opened after Michigan changed head coaches, and his arrival gives Oklahoma another piece to work with as it sorts out how to deploy an already strong linebacker room. [Read more 🡒]