Slippery Rock center Brandon Fusco felt a little nervous Monday. For the first time, he was blocking Division I talent — even some future first-round draft picks. But after this week, he has proved he belongs.
"He's a Division I player," coach George Mihalik said. "Brandon could have started at most Division I schools in the country."
Fusco is one of three Division II prospects at the Senior Bowl, which kicks off at 4 p.m. today at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Ala. He's the only one on the North squad.
"I didn't really picture myself being here at the beginning of my senior season," said Fusco, a four-year starter. "But I've worked hard every day to get better, and it's paid off."
The invitation followed numerous awards for Fusco, including the Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year and a spot on the Associated Press' Little All-America team.
"He's living the dream," Mihalik said. "This is the best postseason game you can be in."
Fusco is just the fourth player from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference to play in the Senior Bowl and the first since Indiana (Pa.) offensive lineman Leander Jordan in 2000. He's the first player from Slippery Rock to participate and will be the first at the NFL Combine next month in Indianapolis.
He has grown a lot in his time at Slippery Rock. When the Seneca Valley graduate arrived in 2006, he weighed 240 pounds. Now, the 6-foot-5 standout tips the scale at 305.
"It's hard to believe," he said. "It's a lot of eating — 60 pounds' worth of eating, I guess."
The North squad is coached by the Cincinnati Bengals' staff, including head coach Marvin Lewis, a Fort Cherry graduate.
"It seems like a whole different and new level," Fusco said. "My position coach in college was great, but it just seems like these guys are a whole different, new step for me."
He's the only Division II player who's consensus top-five at his position, and he could go in the fifth or sixth round of April's draft. But that's the farthest thing from his mind.
"I don't pay attention to that stuff," he said. "I don't want that stuff to get into my head."
Fusco graduated in December with a health and safety degree. He said he wants to use his education, but not for a while.
"I see myself playing about 10-plus years," he said. "That's my goal, and I plan on that."
