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Published Aug 16, 2024
Ranking The Contenders: Five-star OT Michael Fasusi
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Marshall Levenson  •  Rivals.com
National Recruiting Analyst
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@MarshallRivals

The No. 11 overall prospect in the 2025 cycle is set to come off the board in just five days on Aug. 21.

Lewisville (Texas) five-star offensive tackle Michael Fasusi is in the final days before his commitment announcement. In preparation, we are ranking the contenders.

Fasusi is set to pick between Missouri, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and Texas A&M.

1. Oklahoma

Oklahoma has seemingly grabbed the momentum in recent weeks. The relationship Fasusi holds with Sooners offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh is very, very strong and Bedenbaugh has shown he can close on top targets. In regards to NIL, which Fasusi will surely be able to take advantage, Oklahoma can step up to the plate and compete with some NIL heavyweights in this race. I like how the Sooners look over their top rivals, Texas, with five days left.

*****

2. Texas

Prior to the back half of this summer, Texas was thought to be in a pretty good spot for Fasusi. But Texas has, for one reason or another, struggled at times on the trail this cycle with their premier targets. As of just right now, I don't see the Longhorns reeling him in, but if a team were to make a late surge, the most likely program would be in Austin. Kyle Flood is regarded as a top offensive line coach and Texas clearly can flex in NIL, so are certainly still in the picture.

*****

3. Texas A&M

Being one of the home state schools, the Aggies have always been connected to Fasusi among the top contenders. The presence of Mike Elko in the program only helped the strengthen their chances and Fasusi spent time in College Station three or four times this spring. In my opinion, Texas A&M has not shown the level of development at the offensive line position recently that Fasusi will be looking for. He has real love for the staff and program in College Station, but I don't view them as a top two contender at this time.

*****

4. Oregon

Earlier this offseason, Fasusi was very high on Oregon. But as time has gone on, the feeling grew stronger he would stay closer to home. Oregon has been on a tear this summer so adding a prospect of Fasusi's caliber would be surprising in the least. But battling the regional powers that are Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas A&M make it a tall task to pull him away. Oregon might have the strongest NIL structure in the country and they have certainly made some noise with it. But I don't see it happening here.

*****

5. Missouri

Eli Drinkwitz and his staff have become somewhat of a pest in the state of Texas to the powers that be in the region. The Tigers have landed two four-star offensive lineman in Texas this cycle, Lamont Rogers and Henry Fenuku. They looked like they were potentially putting themselves in position to do the same with Fasusi, which included an official visit this summer. That momentum has wained but Missouri has at least remained in the picture as a finalist.

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