Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu (74) gets set before a play against West Virginia at Beaver Stadium September 2, 2023, in State College.
With the New York Jets in desperate need of help along the offensive line, we take a look at Penn State OT Olu Fashanu ahead of this year’s NFL draft.
Measurements (will be updated after NFL Combine)
Height: 6060e (estimated)
Weight: 317e
Hometown: Washington, DC
High School: Gonzaga
Class/Age: Senior, 21 (December 9th, 2002)
Recruit: ★★★ #45 OT, #6 DC
Film Study: 86.5/100 (First Round Pick)
Games Watched: Illinois (2023), Iowa (2023), Ohio State (2023)
Rarely “on the ground” (OTG), can occasionally lose balance when he lunges
Quick to his spot in pass pro, overshoots/lunges occasionally, great “scan”/looking for work, good stunt pickups,
Good at first contact but can get redirected, good blocks on pulls
Solid on the move, rarely gets to 2nd level, very good as puller
Want to see more power on first contact to help him latch on better in the run game
Good hands lifting into defenders and maintaining good placement, specifically in pass pro
Very good anchor to stifle power rushers
Strong lower half, good leg drive in run game
Good length to keep defenders at bay
Can slot in as a LT or RT
Summary:
Olu Fashanu was a 2-year starter for the Penn State Nittany Lions, totaling 20 starts in 2022 and 2023. Across his 681 pass blocking snaps over that time frame, Fashanu did not surrender a single sack, according to PFF.
Prioritizing an offensive tackle with a higher ceiling in pass protection makes the most sense for New York, and if he slips to 10th overall, it would be a “run the card up” scenario for Joe Douglas. Fashanu is an ideal fit for the Jets as they look to keep Aaron Rodgers upright, as he returns from his Achilles injury.
Olu Fashanu would give the offensive line a boost in both talent and age, replacing last year’s Week 1 starter Duane Brown and getting younger at the position by 18 years. A left side comprised of Fashanu, Alijah Vera-Tucker and Joe Tippmann would be a rock solid trio to build from moving forward.
Expect to hear plenty of talk about the likes of Fashanu, Joe Alt, Taliese Fuaga and lots of other offensive tackles in the very near future.