Michigan State OL Fou Fonoti Talks New OC Jim Bollman, Getting Reps at Center and Being Far From Home!

A: I really missed being out there with the guys. So it just felt good. A little rusty on some things but at the same time me and Travis, we’re just blessed

A: I really missed being out there with the guys. So it just felt good. A little rusty on some things but at the same time me and Travis, we’re just blessed to be back out there with our brothers.

Q: So have you taken a few snaps at center?

A: Yeah, how that for me? I know that’s shocking for me to even do. But I’m just doing whatever the team needs, whatever the coaches tell me, and just try to perfect it.

Q: How is Coach Bollman, so what was that like out there?

A: He’s a great guy, great guy. Very positive. He has so much stuff to show us. He’s got a new drill that he implemented. Very beneficial and he just works with us. If we mess up on things he’s there to just walk us through and stuff like that. But he’s a very good coach.

Q: I know it was tough with you being on the sidelines last year watching, but what’s it like being back another year?

A: Pretty much I know it’s my last opportunity. Just give it all. Just sacrifice it all. Just continue to see what I need to progress on and God’s willing just get out there and focus it.

Q: Fou, you always talk about blessings. Is that kind of the way you’re looking at this extra year? Just another blessing for you?

A: Oh yeah, at first when I first got injured you know I didn’t want to face the reality that I was going to be out for the year. But being able to come back for another year has truly been a blessing in disguise. It took some time for me to understand that, but being able to come out here for my second spring ball, second winter conditioning, has been amazing. So I’m truly grateful for it.

Q: Were you surprised when they asked you to start taking some snaps at center?

A: Yeah. I was definitely surprised. They asked me, I kind of thought it was a joke. But hey, whatever coach tells me to do, whatever the team needs, I’m willing to do it.

Q: What’s different about it besides snapping the ball? What’s different about it?

A: There’s a lot more thought process to it. Ya know, I’ve gotta understand now that I can no longer just go. I gotta get the ball, get the shot, and I gotta make sure I get it back before I can even do anything. So it’s gonna take time, slowly but surely. I’ll get it.

Q: How much are you doing it?

A: I probably started a couple weeks ago.

Q: Still with the one at left tackle, right?

A: Yeah. There’s a lot of moving positions but you I know the coaches have a good interest in it.

Q: One of the things that they wanna do is become more athletic on the offensive line. Hold some guys, get some guys moving even from the center position. That plays into your skillset of being very athletic, does it not?

A: Yeah. At the same time we’ve still got Travis, ya know Jack comes back. It’s just nice to know that whatever coach says you can put any guy any place and our guys are willing to do it all.

Q: What’s been the biggest impact that Jim Bollman’s had on you personally?

A: His positivity and his strong belief in Christ. He told us his story, we’re eating dinner one day. Just to hear that, he’s a great guy. We’re just truly blessed to have him.

Q: Didn’t you guys say you’re doing different things up front?

A: It’s pretty much the same thing. Different terminology. A lot of guys moved different places. Spring ball is for testing a lot of things. We’ll get used to it.

Q: You 100%?

A: Yes.

Q: You and Travis are both doing it all? No holding back?

A: Yup, no holding back. There’s no time for us to be sitting around anymore, sit on the sidelines. We’re just excited to be on that field.

Q: Being from California how are you adjusting to being in East Lansing? Is it going well?

A: Yeah, pretty much. I think one thing I already struggled through was being away from home for awhile. You know, when I first signed here I told myself 2 years. So when I knew I was gonna come back for another year it was kind of tough for me to tell my family, tell my girlfriend that I might be out here. It took some time for them to accept it. But I knew this was best decision.