Olu Fashanu wows in early Senior Bowl evaluations
Jim Nagy spent the weekend highlighting the many drafted players to make the leap from the Reese’s Senior Bowl to the NFL on Twitter. Turning the page this week, the executive director for the annual college football showcase game eyed what’s next.
At the top of the list?
Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu. In a Tweet on Wednesday morning, Nagy offered a glowing review of the rising fourth-year offensive lineman for the Nittany Lions.
From the Tweet:
“Only couple weeks into evaluation process for 2024 @seniorbowl but best player we’ve seen so far is Penn State LT Olu Fashanu (@olu_fashanu). Biggest thing that stands out is his incredible grip strength, especially for 19-year old.”
Adding to the thought, Nagy made a second Tweet pointing to the emerging reality at the position for Penn State.
“Could be OL Coach Phil Trautwein’s second 1st Round pick at Senior Bowl in past 3 years (coached #Chargers 2022 first-rounder Zion Johnson at BC)”
According to the Senior Bowl’s numbers, Fashanu checks in now at 6-foot-6, 308 pounds ahead of his redshirt junior season with the Nittany Lions.
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Olu Fashanu top attributes
Every year, the Senior Bowl evaluates every rising senior in college football ahead of the next season in preparation for its annual February game in front of NFL coaches and scouts. Last year, that led to a May highlight by Nagy of Penn State transfer receiver Mitchell Tinsley.
This year, it’s Fashanu’s turn.
The Senior Bowl staff sets the table with grades in the weeks following the game for the next year’s class. Then Nagy becomes part of the process in May after the conclusion of the draft. And, in Fashanu’s case, the early film backed up the consensus that has formed around him for months.
Already, according to Pro Football Network, Fashanu is considered the top offensive tackle on tap for the 2024 NFL Draft. This, coming after a season that would have led him into a first round grade if he’d declared.
“Had he declared for the 2023 NFL Draft, Fashanu would have been a first-round pick and an OT1 candidate. But there’s no harm in returning for Fashanu, who’s still just 20 years old. He’s a stellar athlete with an NFL frame at 6’6″, 321 pounds. He shoots off the snap and finishes as a run blocker, and he’s an advanced pass protector beyond his years.”
