SPRINGFIELD — Missouri State's Michael Osei-Bonsu is the most interesting man in college football.
He’s never played a down.
He’s new to the game’s terminology.
“It’s been hard, it’s been challenging, it’s been a grind,” Osei-Bonsu said. “That is what sports are; they are a grind. It’s been different, but I love it.”
It’s time to reintroduce a Missouri State fan favorite.
Over the past two seasons, Osei-Bonsu has started every game for Missouri State’s basketball team. Last year, he was an all-CUSA third-team member.
This fall, Osei-Bonsu will be suiting up for the football team. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound fifth-year is slated to play tight end and defensive lineman this season.
Throughout camp, Osei-Bonsu has even played some right tackle during field
goals. This is where Osei-Bonsu might play most of his snaps during the early portion of the season.
Has Michael Osei-Bonsu ever played football before?
Walking the halls of his Chicago-land high school, Osei-Bonsu wanted to play football. He was built for it, with a frame very similar to what he has today.
But family comes first; it always does.
“My mom never really let me play,” he said, smiling.
Osei-Bonsu listened to his mother, Rose, and continued grinding on his basketball skills. It worked out for him. He played two seasons at Vincennes Community College before joining the Bears. He went on to a great basketball career, averaging 13.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
His tenacity and work ethic are the main reasons Bears fans have gravitated towards him, according to Bears basketball coach Cuonzo Martin. As an undersized big man, Osei-Bonsu was playing against players several inches taller than he was. Osei-Bonsu never backed down.
“He resonated in terms of a young man competing, battling, and not making excuses,” Martin said. “The second he had a chance to do other things, he chose to be here.”
Cuonzo Martin calls Osei-Bonsu ‘Warrior”
When Osei-Bonsu started kicking around the idea of playing football, Martin was there to give him advice. Osei-Bonsu needed a sounding board, someone to help him learn the pros and cons of what the future may hold.
“Coach Martin is my mentor. I asked for his opinion and he gives it every time,” Osei-Bonsu said.
Martin has enjoyed a front-row seat to Osei-Bonsu’s basketball success. This fall, he’ll be in the stands cheering on his former player every game, he shared.
“He’s like a little kid in a candy store,” Martin said. “His innocence and what it pays to be successful. He’s like a ball of clay being molded by a coaching staff. He’s willing to listen, learn and grow.”
The relationship between Martin and Osei-Bonsu is genuine. It’s steeped in love, trust and acknowledgment. These qualities helped Osei-Bonsu take a leap and try a brand-new sport.
“Coach Martin, that’s always my guy. He’s a few steps away or a call away and I can always go to him for any advice,” Osei-Bonsu said. “He calls me Warrior.”
Osei-Bonsu had other opportunities to play his first season of college football elsewhere. The relationships that he’s made at Missouri State made it easy to try something new in a familiar environment.
“I love the people. Everybody in Chicago is to themselves,” Osei-Bonsu said. “You come to Springfield and people are just saying hi to you randomly and asking you about your day.”
Inside Osei-Bonsu’s first camp
It took Osei-Bonsu a few days into spring camp to tell his mom he would be playing football.
“She’s okay with it now, she’s getting acclimated,” Osei-Bonsu said. “She’s pretty happy seeing me in a new sport."
Osei-Bonsu played basketball his entire life. He knew the schemes, calls, and terminology. The ins and outs of football have been his biggest hurdle.
“When I’m in the film room, it’s a whole different language,” Osei-Bonsu said.
Missouri State’s coaching staff is in a fascinating position with Osei-Bonsu. Rarely can coaches develop a player from scratch.
You usually find a player with raw techniques in middle school or freshman high school football. That is why Osei-Bonsu is on a timetable to build to peak fitness midway through the season.
Missouri State defensive tackles coach Al Davis is one of several coaches helping Osei-Bonsu adjust.
“His foundation is that he has size and a speed that is unmatched,” Davis said. “I can’t coach 6-foot-4, 300 pounds. That’s God-given.”
What Davis can provide are the necessary building blocks for Osei-Bonsu.
“He’s in the phase of elementary school right now,” Davis said on Aug. 18. “By the time that we get done with camp, he’ll probably be in middle school. After game two or three, he’ll be in high school getting ready to graduate and go to college.
One thing has translated from basketball to football for Osei-Bonsu. He’s found catching passes with the tight ends just like a common basketball skill. He’s enjoyed finding the high point of the ball and bringing it down in traffic.
“It’s like grabbing a rebound,” Osei-Bonsu said. “But everything else is pretty new.”
When will Osei-Bonsu be ready to play?
Osei-Bonsu was not listed on Missouri State’s opening two-deep depth chart. It was likely that he wasn’t going to play meaningful time early in the season. He’s still early in his development.
But he’s growing in the game quickly. All of the coaches have been impressed with him soaking up every opportunity.
By the time conference play rolls around, the coaching staff is hoping for Osei-Bonsu to make more of an impact. But it all hinges on Osei-Bonsu’s growth in this brand-new sport.
“We have a development plan for guys like Mike Osei-Bonsu,” head coach Casey Woods said. “He’s not ready to be an every-down player right now. But he very well could be. His sky is the limit. His ceiling is as high as anybody on the team.”
Osei-Bonsu is fully on board with the development plan the coaches set. When the staff thinks he’s ready to play, Osei-Bonsu will be there giving it his all just like he did for the basketball team.
“I trust Coach Woods, and it’s the reason that I came here,” Osei-Bonsu said. “You can’t play a sport without trusting a coach. I’m here for the team, to help the team win.”
Liam Keating covers high school sports and Missouri State athletics for The Springfield News-Leader. Send stats or information to him at Lkeating@usatodayco.com
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Inside Michael Osei-Bonsu's incredible football journey with Missouri State
