Crimson Countdown: No.80 Josh Fanuiel
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 98 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 80 Josh Fanuiel
2022 stats: N/A.
2023 outlook:
One of the most intriguing new additions to the Oklahoma roster and probably not for the reason you’re thinking. Or maybe it is. The 2023 season will be Josh Fanuiel‘s first venture into Division I football. He joins the Oklahoma football team after transferring from Cameron University in Lawton, where he played basketball for the Division II Aggies.
“It’s kind of like Antonio Gates. He’s got every tool that you could possibly have. I told him after I watched him in winter workouts, he’s got the size and he’s got the fight. You get in there and do all those competitions and he’s fighting his butt off. And so I told him and you can play in the NFL if you get serious about this and learn the techniques because catching the ball, running routes, he’s very, very natural, very smooth, very loose in the hips. And so he’s done a great job with that,” said Oklahoma tight end coach Joe Jon Finley.
The measurables — 6-foot-3, 246 pounds– make him at the very least intriguing. He caught a touchdown in the Sooners Red-White spring game. Players like Fanuiel can be seen as something of a gamble, but it clearly is a gamble worth taking.
2023 tight end outlook
The return of Austin Stogner highlights a tight end room that is looking to rebuild in a sense following the departure of Brayden Willis.
Joe Jon Finley’s room is talented but rather unproven as Kaden Helms and Jason Llewelyn look to breakthrough during their second year in Norman. Unfortunately both of the redshirt freshmen missed time during spring, opening the door for someone like Fanuiel and Texas A&M transfer Blake Smith to take advantage.
Oklahoma also welcomes true freshman Kade McIntyre to the fold but shouldn’t be necessarily expected to be an immediate contributor this season.
