The Spring Hurry-Up: Volume 2

NORMAN – Oklahoma spring football practice is in full swing as the Sooners wrap up their second week of practices in preparation for the 2026 season and the spring game on April 18. The second edition of SoonerSports.com's spring Q&A series, "The Hurry-Up", features junior running back Lloyd Avant, sophomore offensive lineman Michael Fasusi and freshman defensive lineman Jake Kreul.

Lloyd Avant carries the ball behind an offensive lineman with others looking on during Oklahoma spring practice in March 2026 at the Everest Indoor facility.

RB Lloyd Avant

Why did you choose to come to OU?
"The brotherhood and the connection within the team. Everyone wants to win, and we're all in it together."

What is your favorite thing about Norman so far?
"The people. They're friendly, outgoing and welcoming."

Where is your favorite place on campus?
"The classroom. I like getting my work done so I can focus on football."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"Pass protection. Learning the plays, understanding the schemes and improving my overall knowledge of the offense."

Which professional athlete at your position is your favorite?
"Christian McCaffrey. He takes pride in every part of his game — blocking, running and catching. I try to model my game after him."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"Listening to music or reading. I enjoy learning new things."

What is your favorite pro sports team and why?
"The Houston Astros. I went to a World Series game in 2017 when they played the Dodgers — it was an incredible experience."

What is your favorite meal/dish?
"Gumbo."

Name something you do every single day, no matter what else happens?
"Take a cold shower."

Why do you wear your jersey number?
"I used to wear No. 25 because 2+5 equals 7, which is meaningful to me. I switched to No. 9 because my dad wore it."

Do you have any secret talents?
"I can sing. I grew up singing gospel music, and my sister sang too, so I followed her lead."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"He's straightforward and honest. He tells you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, and it's always to help you improve."

What do you like most about running backs coach Deland McCullough?
"I love Coach McCullough. He's coached at both the NFL and college levels, so he knows the game. You just have to trust his plan."

Offensive lineman Michael Fasusi runs a blocking drill against a sled dummy during Oklahoma football spring practice in March 2026 on the OU football practice fields.

OL Michael Fasusi

What was your personal favorite play from last season?
"My favorite play was definitely against South Carolina. It was a mid-zone run to the right, and I ended up knocking the guy inside and climbing to the linebacker, which resulted in a touchdown. I loved every part of it."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"Honestly, everything. As an offensive lineman, we have to focus on fundamentals — especially hands, eyes and feet. Communication is a big part of that, too. Just having the mindset of becoming a better offensive lineman is my biggest focus right now. Physicality and strength are areas you can always improve to take your game to another level."

What has been your favorite road/neutral stadium you've visited at OU?
"I have to go with Tennessee. I loved the vibe — it was amazing. Playing with the guys, the unity we had. I remember a point in the game where we said, 'Enough is enough, it's time to win.' We locked in and got it done."

Which professional athlete at your position is your favorite?
"I'm a big fan of Lane Johnson, Trent Williams, Penei Sewell and Tyron Smith. I've been able to talk with some of those guys and learn from them — the way they use their hands, feet and eyes."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football/school?
"I'm a big fan of watching horror movies. I like The Conjuring franchise."

What is your favorite sport to watch?
"Soccer will always be my first love — that's what I grew up around in Africa."

What is your favorite meal/dish?
"My favorite meal is an African dish my mom makes called yam porridge. She always seems to make it at the perfect time."

Name something you do every single day, no matter what else happens?
"I make sure I pray when I wake up and before I go to sleep. Other than that, I just try to smile every day."

Why do you wear your jersey number?
"I was going to wear No. 54 my sophomore year of high school, but a senior already had it. So, I chose No. 56. The crazy part is my email at the time started with "Michael56," so I felt like it was meant to be."

Do you have any secret talents?
"I think I'm a good dancer. God put us here to be happy, and dancing is a great way to praise God."

What do you like most about head coach Brent Venables?
"His tenacity and passion. He brings that energy every day and treats everyone the same, whether you're a freshman or a veteran. You feel his love for the game and for us as players. There's so much knowledge he shares, and I see it as a blessing to learn from him."

What do you like most about offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh?
"He pushes us to play at an elite standard. You see why he's regarded as one of the best coaches in the country. He teaches us that football is life — love the game, love improving and stay consistent on and off the field. I'm grateful to have him in my corner."

Freshman defensive lineman Jake Kreul runs a drill against a sled dummy during Oklahoma football spring practice in March 2026 on the OU football practice fields.

DL Jake Kreul

Why did you choose to come to OU?
"The people make the place, and this place had the best people. That's the easiest way to put it, Coach (Miguel) Chavis, Coach (Venables) are great role models, people I admire to be like in my day to day life, and I think they're going to push me to the best version of myself."

What is your favorite thing about Norman so far?
"Football. The student base is awesome. I've gotten to meet a lot of the other athletes. They're awesome, but I just think the people in football make the place."

What is one thing you are working to improve for next season?
"I need to develop holistically as a player and become a lot smarter. But I think that comes with time and being around a lot of great people, so I think they're all pushing me to be a better version of myself."

Which professional athlete who plays or played your position is your favorite?
"Maxx Crosby. I don't really have to add anything to that. He plays the game with lot of sauce. He's my favorite, no doubt."

What is your favorite thing to do away from football or school?
"I just think hanging out with my friends back home. When I'm with my friends, we always have a good time."

Favorite pro sports team?
"I don't have one. I didn't really watch sports growing up, to be honest, I just watched players. A lot of edge rushers – Maxx Crosby, Micah Parsons, R Mason Thomas, just a lot of guys who played my position."

What's your favorite meal or dish?
"Steak and eggs, or steak and the Texas Roadhouse rolls. Anything like that, I love it."

What is something that you do every single day?
"Shower. That's probably it. Every day is different, but I shower when I wake up every day."

Do you have any secret talents?
"I can solve a Rubik's Cube pretty fast, in under a minute. Thirty seconds is probably the fastest I've ever gotten. I'm going to make a music album soon. Probably country, R & B, and rap, I want to do a little bit of everything on it. My best friend back home, his brother is a producer and an artist, so he kind of helps me out there with that. I can play the guitar and sing a little bit, but I'm not too great at either."

What do you like most about Coach V
"I just think he's a leader of men. As a person, he's someone I admire, and I think he does a lot of things that I want to put into my own life, and then he's just a genius on the football field, and I like to pick his brain and learn as much football as from him."

What do you like most about Coach Davis?
"A lot of the same things, to be honest. I just think, as a person, as a husband, he has a lot of traits that I want to be able to grow into and be with myself, and I think he's pushing me to be the best version of myself every single day."

For updates and more information on OU Football, follow the Sooners on Instagram and X (@OU_Football) and like Oklahoma Football on Facebook.

RB Lloyd Avant

OL Michael Fasusi

DL Jake Kreul

Players Mentioned

Lloyd Avant

Michael Fasusi

Jake Kreul

R Mason Thomas

Sponsors

University of Oklahoma Athletics