SRU's Fusco selected by Minnesota Vikings
SLIPPERY ROCK — The wait was agonizing. The end was ecstasy.
Slippery Rock University and Seneca Valley graduate Brandon Fusco — winner of the Gene Upshaw Award as the best center in NCAA Division II last fall — was selected in the sixth round of the NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings late Saturday afternoon.
He became the highest draft pick in the history of SRU football — and did not receive the news alone.
Fusco was surrounded by 200 family members, friends, coaches and Rock teammates when he received the call from the Vikings on his cell phone at the Ginger Hill Tavern in Slippery Rock.
“Their line coach called me, then (head) coach (Leslie) Frazier got on the phone, then the general manager,” Fusco said. “They all said they were shocked I slid to the sixth round, but were thrilled to get me.
“I'm just happy to be a Viking.”
Fusco was the fourth center selected overall — and first since the Kansas City Chiefs took Florida State's Rodney Hudson in the second round with the 55th overall pick.
Fusco was the 172nd player chosen overall.
“Fourth best center in the entire country ... I'm on cloud nine right now,” SRU coach George Mihalik said. “This isn't just an exciting day for the Fusco family. It's exciting for this university, the community of Slippery Rock and all of Butler County.”
Fusco became the first Butler County area player drafted since the Phoenix Cardinals chose Freeport graduate Jeff Christy out of Pitt in the fourth round in 1992. Christy went on to become the Vikings' center for seven seasons and won a Super Bowl championship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Only one other SRU lineman was ever drafted by the NFL. Defensive end Jay Cullin was chosen in the 17th round by Oakland in 1967.
The Rock had three running backs drafted during the 1980s — Ricky Porter by Detroit in the 12th round in 1982, Chuck Sanders by San Diego in the 11th round in 1986 and Greg Paterra in the 11th round by Atlanta in 1989.
“I thought I was gonna go earlier and the wait was getting frustrating,” Fusco admitted. “When there were about 100 picks left, I began wondering if I was going to be left behind, coming from a smaller school.”
With the NFL lockout back in place, undrafted free agents cannot be signed by NFL clubs until either the lockout is lifted or the league's current labor dispute is settled.
“The Vikings congratulated me, then told me they can't get back in touch with me until everything is settled,” Fusco said. “I can wait. I know where I'm going now.”
The Vikings also drafted Arkansas offensive lineman DeMarcus Love in the sixth round, four picks in front of Fusco.“Finally, we were able to draft a couple of guys who we think will really help us from a depth standpoint, and eventually push our starters to improve, or become starters themselves,” Frazier said in a prepared statement on the Vikings' website.Minnesota has two young centers on its roster: Fourth-year pro and starter John Sullivan out of Notre Dame and third-year pro Jon Cooper out of Oklahoma. At 6-foot-4, 306 pounds, Fusco is slightly bigger than both physically.“He is a genuine, good person and will always have a special place in my heart,” Mihalik said of Fusco. “And Brandon Fusco will be a starter in the NFL. Mark my words.”Fusco already began signing autographs and talking to kids during Saturday's gathering, before and after the draft.“He's been a role model,” fellow SRU offensive lineman Austin Fedell said. “He's all work ethic. He led us by example, always doing the extra things in practice.You work hard, you do the right things, no matter what level you're at, you've got a chance. Brandon showed us all that.”Fusco jerseys hung behind the bar and Fusco NFL draft shirts were donned by tavern employees Saturday.Steve Fusco, Brandon's father, wore his son's SRU No. 74 jersey.“This is joyful, exciting ... and nerve-racking,” Mr. Fusco said. “Who ever thought we'd be here? From a 240-pound lineman at Seneca Valley to a 308-pound pro prospect at Slippery Rock ... It was a lot of hard work put in by that kid.”Don Checkan, who coached Fusco with the Seneca Valley Chiefs' midget football team when the latter was age 11 through 13, said Fusco has changed in size only.“He was always polite, always respectful, a good listener and very coachable,” Checkan said. “To this day, he's a polite, respectable young man.“Hard work, dedication and effort is what got him here. I'm proud to have been part of that journey.”Mike Butterworth is the last Rock lineman to get a taste of the NFL. He signed as a free agent with Atlanta and was on the Falcons' practice squad in 2008 and 2009.“This is so satisfying, seeing the culmination of all of this,” SRU offensive line coach Joe Walton said. “This is once in a lifetime. It's wonderful.”Vic Campagna has been SRU's offensive coordinator since 1988. Paterra, wide receiver D.J. Flick (Steelers camp) and Butterworth are the only three players he's coached who have reached an NFL camp.“The excitement this has brought to this town, our campus and football program is like nothing I've ever seen,” Campagna said. “This is a plus for everybody in our program.”Being around local family and friends was a plus for Fusco on Saturday.“His agent offered to fly Brandon and his family to New York City for the last four days, all expenses paid, to be at Radio City Music Hall for the draft,” Mihalik said.“Brandon said no. He wanted to spend the moment with the people who helped get him to the moment. That's the kind of person he is.”Fusco fought back tears as he spoke.“Right now, I feel blessed ... really, really blessed,” he said.
