Michael Fasusi was the talk of Oklahoma's media day as his stock isn't done soaring

As local reporters made their way around Oklahoma's media day just two days before the Sooners start fall camp, one name kept getting mentioned: Michael Fasusi.

Fasusi became the Sooners' starter at left tackle Week 5 last season as a freshman and is expected to anchor OU's offensive line once again in 2026, now as a sophomore that's no longer just thriving off talent as a former five-star recruit but also experience. He's one of four returning starters the Sooners have up front from last year.

Read more: David Pollack gives Oklahoma fans more reason to stand tall all offseason

"A blessing, man," Fasusi told media when asked about getting thrown into the fire as a freshman. "To be able to have that experience, to be able to see what the game is like, what the speed of the game is like, what the physicality is like -- really just everything it takes to, you know, just to be great."

That should be scary for opposing defensive linemen to hear. Fasusi already had everything to be great, but now, he's learned what it takes to get there and had all offseason to perfect his craft.

There was a lot of hype surrounding Fasusi as the headliner of the Sooners' 2025 signing class. Coming out of Lewisville High School already listed at 6-foot-5 and 295 pounds, he was the consensus top offensive tackle in the class and No. 5 overall prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite.

He was already destined then to immediately contribute at Oklahoma before eventually becoming a first-round draft pick. So far, he's right on track after starting eight games as a freshman in 2025 for a College Football Playoff contender while holding his own in SEC trenches and being named a Freshman All-American by On3.

Jason Witten's glowing Michael Fasusi praise should excite every OU fan

Recruiting rankings and ratings are known to be wrong, but a year later, that hype has only grown around Fasusi. And now it's coming from those who have a front-row view of what Fasusi can do, not scouts analyzing from what they see on film.

Coaches and players at OU's media day on Tuesday were regularly asked which player they're most excited to see what they'll do in 2026, particularly someone not at their position. New tight ends coach Jason Witten, defensive tackle Jayden Jackson and tight end Hayden Hansen all said Fasusi when SoonerScoop's George Stoia asked the question.

Witten, when with the Dallas Cowboys, played alongside eight-time Pro Bowl left tackle Tyron Smith, so he knows what it looks like to be great at the position. Hansen is now the one playing next to Fasusi while Jackson is lining up across from him on a daily basis during practice.

"I think the easy answer to that is Mike Fasusi," Witten said. "I just can't say enough about his approach every single day."

The Michael Fasusi stock has always been high, but even while it's skyrocketing, it's still lower than it will ever be.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow