Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu declares for 2024 NFL Draft, will travel to Peach Bowl

Penn State consensus All-American Olu Fashanu is declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft, He announced the new on Friday. He will, however travel to Atlanta with his teammates for the Peach Bowl against No. 11 Ole Miss on Dec. 30 at Noon ET.

Read Olu Fashanu’s statement

He put it out on Twitter. You can read it in its entirety below:

“There aren’t enough words to express how impactful the past four years at Penn State have been,” Fashanu wrote on Twitter. LThis football program, which has become my family, the Smeal College of Business and this entire Penn State community have taught me so much. I’ve been surrounded by some of the best coaches, fathers and role models who have helped mold me into the man I am today.

Thank you Coach Franklin, Coach Trautwein, and the entire coaching and support staff. Your continuous love, support and development will always mean the world to me.

“To my teammates, I will forever be grateful for all of the memories and bonds I have created with all of you. I consider each and every one of you as my brothers and I am thankful for our relationships.

“To the best fans in all of college football, thank you for making these past four years unforgettable. The support you show week in and week out is truly unrivaled, and I will never forget the memories that were made in Beaver Stadium.

“To my family, Mom, Dad, and Anjola, thank you will never be enough. Without you all, none of this would be possible. Your love and support through it all will always be my motivation.

“A year ago i was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to declare for the NFL draft. I am forever grateful that I made the decision to come back and compete with my brothers one last time while also graduating. With that being said, I am proud to announce that i will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. I look forward to spending time with my teammates and coaches in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl.”

What will the Penn State plan be for Olu Fashanu in the Peach Bowl?

Fashanu is traveling with the team. How much or if he plays however, is not as clear. If he is on a snap count or sits out entirely, Penn State will turn to redshirt sophomore swing tackle Drew Shelton to take Fashanu’s starting spot in the Peach Bowl. He filled in for the Lions down the stretch last season and also started in the Rose Bowl. So, a New Year’s Six experience is nothing new for the Downington, Pa., native. Fashanu and right tackle Caedan Wallace were among Penn State’s most available players in 2023. That meant a smaller role for Shelton this fall. But he still played 313 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. That number ranks 14th on the offense and seventh among Nittany Lion offensive linemen.

Beyond Shelton seeing more time, and unrelated to Fashanu’s absence, other Penn State players could see more work in the trenches on offense. We’re curious to see if Nick Dawkins gets more run at center with Hunter Nourzad set to move on after the game. And, freshman tackle J’Ven Williams and guard Anthony Donkoh could earn some playing time, as well. It may not be a lot, of course. But, any little bit helps as the Lions prepare to soon flip the script to 2024.

Tracking PSU player decisions

Here’s what else we learned so far:

Penn State end Adisa Isaac said as a captain, he feels like he has a responsibility to both be with his team at the Peach Bowl and play in it. But, logic dictates that he will be on a snap count. He has not yet made a stay-or-go decision.

Lions tight end Tyler Warren will play in the Peach Bowl. But, he was not yet ready to reveal his future plans beyond that.

Lions cornerback Daequan Hardy is playing in the Peach Bowl. But, he has declared for the NFL Draft.

The list above is only reflective of the players who were made available at last Friday’s local media day. Other Penn State players who would have been asked the same question if available include cornerbacks Kalen King and Johnny Dixon, offensive lineman Sal Wormley, receivers Dante Cephas and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, and running back Trey Potts. We’ll see if any of them are available in Atlanta. That is the next time the progam is set to make any players available.

Beyond that, we already know two other details. Chop Robinson won’t play in the Peach Bowl and is off to the NFL Draft. And, tight end Theo Johnson, Fashanu, tackle Caedan Wallace and linebacker Curtis Jacobs will play but have already declared for the Draft.