Olu Fashanu, Penn State's 'Elite' Tackle, Takes the Next Step

How is Fashanu refining his game for the 2023 season? The Lions' strength coach explains.

Author:
Mark Wogenrich
Updated:
Jul 27, 2023 2:27 PM EDT

In this story:

As Phil Trautwein, Penn State's offensive line coach, surveys his group this summer, he reflects on where it was before the 2022 season. Trautwein had collected a series of preseason articles that questioned the Lions' offensive front to make sure his linemen were properly motivated. The tactic obviously work, as Penn State fielded its best offensive line in years, led by a potential top-10 NFL Draft pick in left tackle Olu Fashanu.

So when Fashanu delayed entering the draft, turning down a potential $20 million contract, Trautwein breathed just a bit easier. How many line coaches get an extra year with a first-round tackle? And a team captain as well? Trautwein understands the strong position from which he's coaching.

"He's an elite player," Trautwein said. "He could have left and been a top-10 pick, so when you have that coming back, you feel pretty good about it. You never really have to worry about left tackle."

Still, neither Fashanu nor Penn State is resting on those 2023 first-round projections, which are plentiful. Pro Football Focus named Fashanu as the No. 1 tackle prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-6, 320-pound Fashanu also is NFL Draft Bible's top-ranked tackle of the draft cycle and should be among the first non-quarterbacks off the board next year. But to get there, Fashanu and Penn State have plenty of work ahead of them.

Let's start with the hips. Fashanu has elite athleticism for a player his size (he broke 5 seconds in the 40-yard dash) but always can improve his flexibility. Chuck Losey, Penn State's strength coach, has made that a priority of Fashanu's development since his freshman season. It's a continuing point this offseason.

"Flexibility has always been a thing with Olu. It’s always been an area we’ve addressed from the very get-go when he got here in high school," Losey said. "He had some mobility deficiencies in his lower body that we continue to address to this day."

Why flexibility? Losey explained.

"No offensive lineman wants to be know as stiff and high," he said. "When you’re stiff and high, you’re off balance, and [Penn State defensive end] Chop Robinson will throw you 15 yards up the field if that’s the case. So you’ve got to be flexible. You’ve got to be able to drop your hips and bend at the knees. It’s a challenge for a lot of these guys who are 6-7, 6-8, especially when they’re 330-340 pounds."

This is where Fashanu's athleticism provides much offseason benefit. As a left tackle who moves well — Losey called his 40 time "very, very elite" — Fashanu can stretch those skills across multiple disciplines. He can use it to produce better bend and elasticity, giving him that low presence Losey seeks. And as Losey has seen over the past two seasons, Fashanu is willing to work every angle of his game .

"He’s a guy who continues to get better and better," Losey said. "Even though he is a highly sought after NFL prospect, he’s also a young man who continues to develop. ... We continue to work the small things with him, just make sure he’s healthy but at the same time we don’t train time any differently. We’re not going to have the white gloves on and treat him a certain way just because he’s being talked about a lot going into the season. We stay aggressive with him. We continue to develop to get faster, get stronger, get more powerful."

Which has happened. At Big Ten Media Days, Penn State coach James Franklin said that Fashanu has gained 20 pounds since last year (he's listed officially at 343) while improving his testing numbers in the 40-yard dash, pro-agility drill and vertical jump. Since media days were held at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium, site of the NFL Draft Scouting Combine, Franklin noted that Fashanu could return next winter to show "the type of athlete he is."

"He’s matured into a player that everybody is talking about," Franklin said. "He also has the maturity and the intellect and the work ethic to demand the respect of all the guys on the team and in the room."

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.