Penn State OT Olu Fashanu declares for NFL draft

Olu Fashanu, one of Penn State’s top prospects in recent memory, is off to the NFL.

Fashanu, arguably the best lineman in the class, has declared for the 2024 NFL draft, he announced Friday.

The star left tackle wrote in a statement that he will be “spending time with my teammates and coaches in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl.” He did not specify if he will play against Ole Miss on Dec. 30.

The decision should not come as a surprise. Fashanu has long been considered among the top prospects in college football and could have left last year to be drafted in the first round.

Fashanu has started 20 games for Penn State the last two seasons. The 6-foot-6, 317-pounder has been a stalwart pass protector, improved run blocker and, overall, the anchor of Penn State’s offensive line.

Fashanu has a chance to become the highest-drafted offensive lineman in program history. Levi Brown went No. 5 overall to the Arizona Cardinals in 2007.

Dane Brugler of The Athletic projected Fashanu to land with the Washington Commanders at No. 5 overall, being selected after USC quarterback Caleb Williams, Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Notre Dame left tackle Joe Alt.

Brugler sees Fashanu as “a cornerstone left tackle” who is “outstanding in pass protection with his body movements, angle awareness and ability to sit down versus power.”

The draft community was high on Fashanu last year, too. Brugler ranked Fashanu as his No. 5 prospect in his 2022 midseason rankings. As a 19-year-old, the first-year starter established himself as a proven commodity before suffering an injury against Ohio State.

Fashanu could have left for millions but opted to return to Penn State for the 2023 season. The preseason All-American hoped to win a Big Ten title and compete for a national championship, dreams that weren’t fulfilled after the Nittany Lions lost to Ohio State and Michigan.

Education was also a major factor in Fashanu’s decision. The supply chain management major not only got his degree but was named a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, known as the “academic Heisman.”

Now, Fashanu is set to get paid. Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson, who was selected No. 6 overall by the Cardinals last year, signed a four-year deal worth $28 million, including a $17.4 million signing bonus. That’s the kind of money Fashanu stands to make as teams will be jumping at the opportunity to draft him.

Penn State has had 21 players drafted in the top 10 with one — Saquon Barkley — coming during James Franklin’s tenure. Fashanu has a real chance to become the second.

“He has everything that (NFL scouts) want,” offensive line coach Phil Tratuwein said last year. “He has the intelligence to play any position if you wanted to, and he’s an overall great kid. … They’re always trying to find red flags. And there’s not one red flag on Olu.”