Penn State's Olu Fashanu Is 'Plug and Play,' NFL Analyst Says
Penn State began the 2023 college football season with three potential first-round picks in the NFL Draft. Getting to that number will be difficult now, but one constant remains. Olu Fashanu, Penn State's All-American left tackle, continues his grip on a top-10 slot in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Daniel Jeremiah, the NFL Network draft analyst, said Fashanu will be "plug and play" on most any NFL offensive line. As the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine approaches, Fashanu is hard-wired into the top half of the first round. ESPN analyst Matt Miller calls Fashanu one of 16 prospects (and only three offensive linemen) with first-round grades, and fellow ESPN analyst Field Yates projects Fashanu at No. 10 overall to the New York Jets. Mel Kiper Jr. has Fashanu as the No. 2 tackle and No. 9 prospect overall.
On a recent conference call, Jeremiah said he didn't expect Fashanu to be available when the Jets select at No. 10 but did note some opportunities for improvement.
"You have Fashanu from Penn State, who is massive," Jeremiah said of the 6-6, 317-pound tackle. "He has the ideal frame, ideal length. TheOhio State game this year was kind of the one that people will point to where he got in some trouble where his eyes were kind of in the wrong place. He gave up his chest and got bulled and moved around a little bit, but really on the whole, I think his tape is pretty solid. He would be plug and play. I think he can play on the left and on the right."
Fashanu should become Penn State's highest-drafted offensive lineman since 2007, when the Arizona Cardinals selected Levi Brown at No. 5 overall. He became Penn State football's 41st consensus All-American last season, earning first-team recognition from the Walter Camp Football Foundation, the Associated Press, Sporting News and the American Football Coaches Association. Fashanu also was named to the Football Writers Association of America's second team.
The Big Ten offensive lineman of the year allowed one sack in more than 680 pass-protection snaps over the past two seasons. A team captain, Fashanu also was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy.
Fashanu is among 10 Penn State players who will attend the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Offensive linemen are scheduled to work out March 3.
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