James Franklin: Olu Fashanu was the ‘model Penn State football player’

Of all the players he’s coached at Penn State, few have ever left as much of an impression on James Franklin quite like Olu Fashanu. Firstly, he excelled on the football field as a standout offensive tackle, earning All-American honors this past season.

His numbers were extremely impressive, as he allowed no sacks in 382 pass blocking snaps. The Nittany Lions were lucky to have him back, as he could have left following the 2022 season and been a first-round NFL Draft pick. He decided to stay not only for the hope that Penn State could compete for a championship, but also to finish his degree.

It was those things that stood out to Franklin about Fashanu. He approached both football and his classwork, and really whatever he set out to do, with the same work ethic.

“To me, he’s the model Penn State football player,” Franklin said. “This guy could’ve left last year as probably a first-round draft choice from all the reports that I got. Decided to come back to school to be an All-American, to compete for a championship, to graduate.

“He had the highest GPA in one of the best schools in the country, our business school. Just wanted to do everything right. He’s really one of these guys that I think literally whatever he wanted to do he could be successful in. Whether that is business or whether that is football. He’s just that type of guy.”

Fashanu graduated from Penn State’s business school a semester early and entered his name in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was selected with the No. 11 overall pick by the New York Jets.

As he embarks upon his pro career, he’ll have a chance to play for a franchise looking to contend for a Super Bowl right away. The Jets are set to get quarterback Aaron Rodgers back after he suffered a season-ending injury in his debut with the team this past year. Fashanu will hope to provide the same elite protection to his new QB that he did in college.

Franklin has no doubt that the 6-foot-6 offensive tackle will find success in the pros the same way he did in college. And just like he did at Penn State, he expects Fashanu to soon win over New Yorkers not just with his play on the field, but who he is as a person as well.

“Tremendous leader, tremendous family,” he said. “You guys are going to love him on the field because there’s no doubt in my mind he’s gonna get the job done. But I just think you guys are gonna spend some time around him and get to know him and his humility and his intelligence. I think the people in the city are gonna fall in love with him.”