Written By Adam Aniba
This year's draft class will feature some elite talent at offensive tackle, one particular blind side protector has received a lot of attention this season.
Penn State left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu is currently viewed as a sure Top 10 talent in this year's NFL Draft. The Nittany Lions LT has all the intangibles you'd want and has the ceiling to have an immediate impact on the next level.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu
6'6" 319 lbs | OT | PSU
Draft Proj Early Rd 1
Background
Olumuyiwa "Olu" Fashanu grew up in Waldorf, MD and was the star offensive tackle for Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. Fashanu also protected USC QB Caleb Williams while playing for Gonzaga.
Fashanu was the 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year and was recognized as a 3-star recruit by ESPN and 247 Sports (#45 OT OT recruit in 2020). The Gonzaga left tackle accepted an offer to play for Penn State, but redshirted his freshman season in 2020.
In 2021 Fashanu earned Academic All-Big Ten honors suiting up in 9 games on offense and special teams with one start. The Gonzaga College HS tackle made first career start at left tackle for PSU vs Arkansas (1/1/22 bowl Game) and helped the offense to 509 total yards in the game.
On the season, Fashanu played in 4 games registering 85 snaps, giving up no QB pressures, no hits and didn't allow a sack.
In 2022 Fashanu started 8 games at left tackle before missing the rest of the season due to injury. The Nittany Lions LT helped pave the way for the PSU to gain 234 yards rushing, including two long touchdown runs (44 and 70 yards) vs Ohio (9/17/22)
Fashanu allowed zero sacks in 281 pass blocking snaps. He was named the coaching staffs Offensive Player of the Game twice in '22 (vs Purdue 9/1/22 & vs Auburn 9/17/22) and named to the AP and Coaches Second team All Big 10 team.
Prior to the season the PSU left tackle was named a team captain. Thus far this season Fashanu has started all 10 games at left tackle, allowing zero sacks in 324 pass blocking snaps. It'll be no surprise if Fashanu is recognized as the best tackle in college football, when all is said and done.
Awards & Accolades
2021 Academic All-Big Ten honors
2022 Associated Press & Coaches 2nd-team All-Big Ten honors
2022 Dick Maginnis Memorial Award for most outstanding offensive lineman
2022 Academic All-Big Ten honors
2023 William V. Campbell Trophy finalist (best in the country for his academic success)
2023 Sporting News 1st-team midseason All-America
2023 Associated Press 2nd-team midseason All-American
2023 PFF preseason 1st-team All-American
Fashanu possess the key traits to have success as a blind side protector in the NFL. The PSU tackle is a physical specimen that utilizes his size, athleticism and strength with the ability to be an anchor in any scheme.
Pros
Impressive combination of strength & athleticism
A technician in pass pro with fluid feet and possesses a mauler demeanor in the run game
Excels when executing reach blocks and as a puller on the second level
Displays solid hand placement with an effective punch, which redirects pass rushers of their rush lanes
Impressive feet with the ability to quickly recover if out of position
Cons
His power/leverage can be offset at times based on his high pad level
Timing off the snap was an issue at times
Still evolving as an overall blocker and tends to rely on his strength at times, foregoing technique when facing elite rushers
Needs to show better anticipation facing stunts
At times can be knocked off balance if over commits
Outlook
Fashanu is a physical specimen and displays the athletic attributes to compete at a high level against NFL pass rushers. He'll undoubtedly be a prospect in high demand, during the first night of the NFL Draft.
There have been more busts than 1st round success stories at left tackle, so it's never a guarantee that an early round tackle can be an immediate contributor. In saying that, Fashanu has been impressive when facing some of the best pass rushers in the country and displays the ability to adjust on the fly.
The Nittany Lions tackle is technically sound and has the prototypical length to be a plug & play blindside protector on the next level for the next 10-15 years.
*Games Watched*
9/10/23 vs Ohio, 10/15 vs Michigan, 10/29 vs OSU, 11/12 vs MD & 11/18 vs Rutgers
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