Bears “Big Mike” steps off the hardwood & onto the gridiron
· Yahoo Sports
SPRINGFIELD--Michael Osei-Bonsu, affectionately known as "Big Mike" to the Missouri State Men's basketball fanbase, is changing his game, literally.
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The 6'4, 280 pound fifth-year senior will spend his final year of eligibility on the gridiron, as part of the Bears football team.
It's a stark change from the past two years, where Osei-Bonsu was the starting center for the men's basketball team. He averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds over that stretch, by using his size and power to bully opposing defenders in the paint.
After talking to his family, and men's basketball coach, Cuonzo Martin, Osei-Bonsu decided his god-given talents would be better suited for the football field, than the basketball court.
"Football's a whole different world," said Bears defensive end, Michael Osei-Bonsu. "It's more physical, but I love it. No fouls, you can't get a technical foul, so shoot, I'm going to attack it."
The light in "Big Mike's" eyes when he said 'you can't get a technical foul' gave me a little chuckle, since I've watched him battle defenders, and referees, over the past two years he was on the basketball team. His stature not only made him easily recognizable on the court, it got him into foul trouble on more than one occasion, since he could easily move people out of the way.
"I like being the biggest guy, but I like having people around the same size so it's like I'm at home and now I can attack and hit somebody and they're not gonna fly around."
With his transition to organized football, something he's never tried to practice or play, come growing pains. Osei-Bonsu is working out at both tight end and defensive end, but his mentality makes it clear with position he prefers most.
"Honestly, I like the d-line more. D-line more an attack mentality, gotta go get that quarterback, so at the end of the day it's just fun to put hands on people and just attacking."
While he tries to get up to speed with the rest of his more experienced peers, the good news is, he's got an all-out motor from basketball he can use to close the gap.
"Basketball you have to make sure you play hard, and make sure you rebound hard, attack hard, everything, so it's same concept in football, make sure you're hitting hard, striking hard, and make sure get after that ball. Ball obsession."
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