Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu was among the nation's top 20 players in 2023: Newsstand
Penn State news, notes, and updates for Jan. 31 include where Olu Fashanu ranked among the nation’s top players in 2023 and more.
It’s time to dive into Wednesday’s top tweets and headlines about the Nittany Lions and college athletics.
Penn State tweets of the day
Our first section is an ode to the 2023 season Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu had and also his spot in Mel Kiper’s latest mock draft. Starting with the college season, ESPN calls the Maryland native college football’s No. 20 overall player. It tracked him with no sacks allowed over 382 pass-blocking snaps.
“Fashanu bypassed a chance to be a potential first-round selection in 2023 to come back to Penn State for one more season,” ESPN writes. “Led by Fashanu, eighth overall on Kiper’s Big Board, the Nittany Lions’ offensive line helped the team average 186.7 rushing yards — tops in the Big Ten.”
NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah posted his first prospect big board of this draft cycle on Tuesday. He has Fashanu at No. 12 overall.
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“Fashanu has ideal size, length and strength for the left tackle position,” Jeremiah writes. “In pass pro, he explodes out of his stance, redirects easily and has strong hands to stab and steer defenders. He can bend his knees and anchor when his eyes are in the right place. However, there are times (SEE: Ohio State tape) where his eyes get him in trouble and he gets uprooted by power rushers.
“In the run game, he is effective shielding and staying attached, but could improve his consistency to finish. He is very quick in getting up to the second level. There is a little ankle tightness when he has to adjust in space. Overall, Fashanu is still very young and developing. He has all the tools to be a solid starting left tackle once he cleans up some small areas of his game.”
Headlines of the day
When does Penn State football start spring practice?: Pickel, BWI
John Urschel Returns to Penn State to Deliver Tech Speech: Wogenrich, SI
On3 150 C Christian Gurdak talks visits; breaks down Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Maryland: Shaw, On3
Penn State offseason overview: Assessing how Drew Allar will make RPO decisions this year: Carr, BWI
Quote of the day
“Olu is a guy I watched in high school at Gonzaga with Caleb Williams and you saw the athleticism, and I’ve always compared him to Ronnie Stanley. Super athletic, just turned 21 years of age, he had the feet, the balance, you see him keeping that frame between the defensive end and the quarterback. I think when you look in the NFL that’s gonna be something where there’s developing to be done. Those great offensive line coaches, the 32 best offensive line coaches in the NFL, there’s a lot to work with here Field with Fashanu. He’s not yet a finished product, I think teams will like that.”
—ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. on former PSU OT Olu Fashanu on the First Draft show.
