Brandon Fusco is entering his fourth year with the Minnesota Vikings, his third as a starter at offensive guard.

The Seneca Valley High School and Slippery Rock University graduate has started 31 of the Vikings’ 32 regular season games the past two years.

That achievement stands out even more when you look at the attempts of other former SRU players to crack an NFL roster in recent years.

It ain’t easy.

It’s darn near impossible.

Consider the following:

Cornerback Andre Freeman signed as a free agent with the Steelers in 2012 and was cut early in camp.

Wide receiver Devin Goda signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Ravens that same season after setting pass-catching records at The Rock. He was released in camp as well.

More than a decade ago, wide receiver and return specialist D.J. Flick signed as a free agent with the Steelers, played in some preseason games, but was ultimately released. Flick wound up putting together a stellar career in the Canadian Football League that was shortened when he suffered a broken leg.

Goda’s records were eventually shattered by John Schademan, the cornerstone of SRU’s passing attack last fall. Schademan caught 77 passes for 1,484 yards and 15 touchdowns his senior year, all school records.

He worked hard to stay in shape and further hone his skills after the season in hopes of being signed by an NFL team.

There was no offer forthcoming. Scouts came to The Rock to check Schademan out, but no team gave him a tryout. He received some interest from Canada, but opted to not go that route.

Moniteau graduate Brice Schwab, who went on to post a solid career as an offensive lineman at Arizona State, has been signed as a free agent by three NFL teams.

Tampa Bay signed him after his senior year at ASU, but released him.

New England signed him last year, put him on their injured list, then released him. The Houston Texans signed him during this preseason and cut him loose.

This is no knock on Schwab — or Goda, Freeman, Flick and Schademan. All of these guys are high-caliber football players.

That’s how tough it is to make it.

Seneca Valley graduate Don Barclay signed with Green Bay as a free agent after putting together a strong career as an offensive lineman at West Virginia University. He stuck with the Packers and has started for them.

Fusco has become part of a young, veteran offensive line in Minnesota. That entire group started all 16 games in 2012, when Adrian Peterson rushed for 2,097 yards.

Fusco has gone from a somewhat under-sized Class AAAA high school lineman to a 6-foot-4, 306-pound anchor, blocking for one of the best running backs in the world.

Yes, relentless hard work got him there. He should count his blessings regardless.

For so many others, hard work wasn’t enough.

John Enrietto is sports editor of the Butler Eagle