Path to the Draft: Slippery Rock’s Brandon Fusco ready for NFL Draft
by Wade Perry
Posted April 28, 2011 5:01 pm
Tonight is the night hundreds of college football players across America have worked their entire lives for.
The up downs, the ladder drills, the sled drills, the one on ones, all the blood, sweat, and tears–all poured into this one moment that is the 2011 NFL Draft.
Many members of the state of Pennsylvania are cheering on one of their own–Brandon Fusco from Slippery Rock–a Division II program located in Slippery Rock, Pa.
He drew the attention of several NFL scouts throughout his senior season–60 different scouts made their way through western Pennsylvania to watch the talented center.
The 6’4, 300 pounder earned the Gene Upshaw Award this past season–given to the top offensive lineman in Division II.
He was also became the first player in school history to earn an invite to the NFL Combine and the Senior Bowl.
This weekend is the moment he and many other stars across the country have been waiting for.
FinestPreps.com caught up with the talented center earlier today to discuss his thoughts before the NFL Draft kicks off tonight at 8 p.m.
Below is the interview.
FinestPreps.com Interview with Slippery Rock Center Brandon Fusco
FinestPreps.com: Brandon talk about your thoughts headed into tonight’s NFL Draft.
Brandon Fusco: “The last couple of months I’ve just been waiting for this day. I knew this day would never be here but it’s real exciting for tonight. I know I’m not a first round pick but it’s nice to know I’m gonna be a part of the draft this year. I’m just real excited. I’m just anxious to see where some of the other players go because it’s gonna give me an idea where I’m going. I’m just excited in general about the draft.”
FinestPreps.com: Talk about where you’re going to be watching the draft, Brandon. Anywhere special?
Brandon Fusco: “Tonight and tomorrow I’ll be home. I’ve got family from out of town coming in so we’ll just all be watching it and enjoying it. Saturday I’m going up to school (Slippery Rock) with my coaches, family, friends, and we’re having a little party you could say–a little get together in Slippery Rock. We’re gonna be watching the third day there. That’s where I’ll have a feeling I’ll be going. It should be a good day. I’m just real excited about it.”
FinestPreps.com: Talk about your experience down at the Senior Bowl, Brandon.
Brandon Fusco: “Senior Bowl–I thought it was a very beneficial week for me. I never really faced that kind of competition before. It’s just really cool playing with kids you see on TV all the time and actually get to be on the same field with them, play with them. I thought it was a real beneficial week. The first day was kind of shaky for me–trying to adjust to the speed and the strength. I came out that next day and I had a real good practice. I just kept improving everyday after that and I came out very confident by the end of the week.”
FinestPreps.com: Who was the most difficult offensive lineman for you to block there all week, Brandon?
Brandon Fusco: “I think down in practice–I’d say Sione Fua (Stanford) was a pretty good player. In the game–Phil Taylor (Baylor)–he’s a beast. He’s a good player and gave me some fits but there’s two guys that were really good players during Senior Bowl week.”
FinestPreps.com would like to wish Fusco the best of luck during the NFL Draft weekend!
Wade Peery is the senior writer for FinestPreps.com. He can be reached by e-mail at wadepeery@yahoo.com. All comments and feedback are welcome.
Check out the highlights of Fusco below!