3 true freshmen to watch for OU against Illinois State

Finally, it’s football time again in Oklahoma. The 2025 season kicks off for the Oklahoma Sooners against the Illinois State Redbirds in Week 1 at home in Norman. OU hosts their only FCS opponent of the season on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. inside Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. 

Plenty of newcomers will be making their OU debuts on Saturday evening, including members of the 2025 recruiting class. These true freshmen will be playing their first college football games ever, beginning their careers at one of the sport's iconic blue blood programs. 

With the Sooners taking on an opponent from a lower division on Saturday, the expectation is that plenty of backups and depth pieces will see action in the second half of what Sooner Nation hopes is a blowout win. 

However, Oklahoma has some true freshmen who expect to play pivotal roles on this year’s team right away. Here are three freshmen to watch against Illinois State, as the Sooners hope to kick off the season right. 

1. Michael Fasusi, OL

Offensive lineman Michael Fasusi was the gem of OU’s recruiting class this winter. The Sooners beat out a strong push from deeper-pocketed teams like Texas and Texas A&M to win Fasusi’s services at offensive tackle. 

Hailing from Lewisville, Texas, Fasusi brings impressive size and athleticism to the position and will work under one of college football’s best offensive line coaches, Bill Bedenbaugh.

While he may not start right away, there’s a strong chance that Fasusi is OU’s starting left tackle by the end of the 2025 season. In fact, Fasusi was listed as a co-starter along with Jacob Sexton and Luke Baklenko at LT on OU's Week 1 depth chart. He’s the future of the offensive line and will get plenty of run against the Redbirds on Saturday night.

2. Ryan Fodje, OL

Ryan Fodje is the other true freshman offensive lineman who has turned heads in fall camp and was another big win for Bedenbaugh in the ’25 cycle. 

Fodje plays guard and will start the year as a backup to Febechi Nwaiwu on the right side. His situation is similar to Fasusi’s, and he could earn a starting spot at right guard by the end of this season. He’ll see significant action on Saturday against Illinois State, as he gets his first taste of college football.

As the Sooners look to rebuild their offense, that includes the offensive line, which was dismal in 2024. With games against Michigan and Auburn coming in the month of September, Fasusi and Fodje may have to grow up quicker than they thought. That begins in Week 1. 

3. Courtland Guillory, DB

Defensive back Courtland Guillory has earned high praise in fall camp, and with uncertainty lurking in OU’s cornerback room, he may end up winning one of the starting jobs outright at some point this fall. Eli Bowen has no timetable for his return from a high ankle sprain setback this summer, and Gentry Williams’ health has never been reliable in his time in Norman. Those are your starting corners if everyone is healthy, but the Sooners will likely be digging into their bench quite a bit in 2025. 

Guillory figures in heavily here, along with Jacobe Johnson, Devon Jordan, and Jeremiah Newcombe. Veteran playmaker Kendel Dolby is expected to play more cornerback this year as he continues to recover from injury. Williams was a solo starter on the Game 1 depth chart on the right side, with Guillory and Johnson listed as co-starters on the left side.

Guillory offers size and length at the position and has demonstrated an advanced ability as a true freshman. He’ll be a factor, not just against Illinois State, but likely all season long in his first year of college football. 

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 3 true freshmen to watch out for when Oklahoma battles Illinois State