Olumuyiwa Fashanu

UPDATES

Week 7: In Penn State's 63-0 thrashing of UMass, the big tackle was limited to 39 snaps. Fashanu might have had his best as a run blocker, and in pass protection he pitched a shutout.

Week 6: DNP — Penn State had its bye week.

Week 5: In undefeated Penn State's 41-13 win over Northwestern, Fashanu played 72 snaps. As he has most of the season, the big left tackle was especially effective in pass protection, not allowing a sack or a pressure in 35 passing plays. He received his highest pass-blocking grade of the season from Pro Football Focus. — JH

Week 4: Fashanu may have had his best all-around game against Iowa as Penn State overpowered Iowa, 31-0. He most certainly had his best game run-blocking and was his usual dominant self in pass protection, not allowing a pressure on Penn State QB Drew Allar. — JH

Week 3: The big left tackle played 69 snaps in Penn State's 30-13 win over Illinois. Fashanu allowed his first pressure on Drew Allar all season and again failed to distinguish himself as a run-blocker, the Nittany Lions did rush for 164 yards as a team. He was also called for a penalty. — JH 

Week 2: Fashanu played 51 snaps and was again exceptional protecting Penn State QB Drew Allar (22-of-26, 209 yards), not allowing a sack or pressure in 31 pass-blocking attempts. Penn State crushed Delaware, 63-7. As in Week 1, the 2022 Second-Team All-American's run blocking was underwhelming. — JH

Week 1: Our top-rated offensive tackle going into 2023 had a somewhat checkered season-debut in Penn State's 38-15 drubbing of West Virginia. In pass protection, Fashanu didn't allow a sack, hurry, hit or pressure in 30 pass plays. However, he received Pro Football Focus' lowest run-blocking grade among Penn State's starting offensive linemen. — JH

Week 0: DNP

OVERVIEW

Rated as high as the No. 5 overall pick prior to his decision to postpone entering the 2023 NFL Draft, Olu Fashanu is a 6-61/6, 323-pound, 20-year-old offensive tackle who brings much promise. By returning to school for another season, Fashanu is solidifying his chances for a top-10, if not top-5, selection -- and we have him at No. 4 entering the season.

Fashanu's innate ability to maintain balance, especially when recovering from missteps, sets him apart. His performance against some of Penn State's toughest opponents has been nothing short of spectacular. Particularly, he stood strong against formidable opponents such as Michigan's Derick Hall and Ohio State's J.T. Tuimoloau, proving that he is a future early first-round pick.

College Career

Coming from Gonzaga High School, Olumuyiwa Fashanu was initially considered a 3-star recruit by both ESPN and 247 Sports. As a freshman at Penn State, Fashanu played a mere 85 snaps across four games but made an impact by allowing zero quarterback hurries, hits, or sacks. In his sophomore year, his playing time increased significantly, and he played 542 snaps over eight games, conceding six quarterback hurries, one hit, and no sacks.

Analysis

Strengths:

Fashanu exhibits rare balance and utilizes his long arms effectively in pass protection. He demonstrates above-average football intelligence, has a formidable work ethic, and shows the ability to reach the second level with agility. His use of heavy hands and a mean streak as a run blocker make him a complete package. Additionally, his quick-twitch movements immediately after the snap, both in pass protection and as a run blocker, offer an extra layer of skill to his game.

Weaknesses:

Fashanu can sometimes become impatient in his set, which leads to lunging and reaching. This lack of patience occasionally compromises his normally impeccable balance. His footwork can be choppy at times, and there are instances where he sets too high in pass protection. Further refinement in these areas could substantially improve his overall performance.

Personal Background

Contrary to what many believe, football was not Fashanu's first love; basketball was. The transition from basketball to football came almost serendipitously, catalyzed by his high school coach handing him football gear. This event marked the beginning of a relentless journey to football excellence. Despite a late start and an initial rating as a three-star recruit, Fashanu has showcased his obsession with perfection, turning himself into what could potentially be the top offensive lineman in college football.

Family and Decision-making

His father, Anthony Fashanu, resisted many attempts from high school football coaches to recruit his son into the sport. It was only when Olu expressed a desire to return to school rather than enter the draft that Anthony gave his full support. This decision resonated with the family's longstanding value for education, a value instilled in them by Olu's grandmother in Nigeria.

Fashanu stands at a pivotal point in his life, with choices that could affect his entire career. While talent evaluators speculate about his future, one thing remains clear: his dedication to the sport and his educational aspirations make him a top prospect for any team looking to secure a dominant offensive lineman.

HISTORY — from college profile

2022 (soph): Named a Walter Camp second-team All-American...Recognized a third-team All-American by Phil Steele...Earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and third-team by the media...Picked up Associated Press All-Big Ten second team honors...Earned All-Big Ten second team honors from Phil Steele...Named Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten second team...Was an All-ECAC honoree...Earned the team's Dick Maginnis Memorial Award for most outstanding offensive lineman...Was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree…Started eight games at left tackle...Allowed zero sacks in 281 pass blocking snaps...Named the coaching staff's Offensive Player of the Game twice (Purdue 9/1; Auburn 9/17)...at Purdue (9/1): Helped Penn State gain 406 yards, including 308 through the air. Ohio (9/10): Aided the Penn State offense to gain 572 yards, including 338 through the air. Paved way for the Nittany Lions to gain 234 yards rushing, including touchdown runs of 44 and 70 yards, both by Nicholas Singleton…at Auburn (9/17): Assisted the Nittany Lion offense in netting 477 yards of offense in the road victory. Helped Penn State finish with 245 yards rushing. Paved the way for five Nittany Lion rushing touchdowns (prior to the five rushing touchdowns, Auburn had allowed just one rushing score in its previous seven games. Singleton had runs of 54 and 53 yards…Central Michigan (9/24): Penn State totaled 403 yards of offense in the win. Helped Clifford account for four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing)...Paved way for Allen's 111 yards on the ground and one touchdown…Northwestern (10/1): The Nittany Lions totaled 360 yards of offense including 220 yards on the ground…at Michigan (10/15): Clifford recorded 74 yards on the ground, including a career-best 62-yard run. Minnesota (10/22): Helped lead the way for Singleton (79 yards) and Allen (77 yards) to both top 75 rushing yards... Pass blocked for Clifford, who logged 295 yards passing with four touchdowns. Ohio State (10/29): Helped the offense put up 482 total yards, including 371 passing yards from Clifford.

2021 (redshirt fr): Appeared in nine games on offense and special teams, making one start…Ball State (9/11): Helped guide the Penn State offense to 493 yards of total offense. Blocked for Sean Clifford as he recorded 230 yards and a touchdown...Helped guide three different rushers to 60-plus yards on the ground…Villanova (9/25): Helped Clifford throw for a career-high 401 yards and four touchdowns. Guided the Penn State offense to 509 total yards…Arkansas (1/1): Made first career start at left tackle as Penn State tallied 323 yards of offense…Earned Academic All-Big Ten honors.

2020 (true fr): Did not see any game action this season...Named the coaching staff's Developmental Squad Offensive Player of the Week (Ohio State, 10/31).

High school: Three-year letterman for head coach Randy Trivers at Gonzaga College High School...Helped the Eagles to the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) title as a junior with a 9-3 record...Named All-Met honorable mention by the Washington Post as a junior...Claimed USA Today DC football second team honors in 2018...Earned first-team All-WCAC honors as a junior and senior...Won the Jack Barnes Award and the Unsung Hero Award...Tallied 52 pancake blocks as a senior...Registered 28 pancake blocks as a junior...Rated a four-star prospect by Rivals and a three-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN...Rated as the No. 42 offensive tackle and No. 5 recruit in Washington D.C. by 247Sports...Ranked as the No. 40 offensive tackle, No. 58 player in the region and No. 8 prospect in Washington D.C. by ESPN...Ranked as the No. 30 offensive tackle and No. 5 recruit in Washington D.C. by Rivals...Played basketball as a freshman.

PERSONAL

Full name is Olumuyiwa Anthony Fashanu...Son of Paige and Anthony Fashanu...Has one sister, Angie...Volunteered at a local homeless shelter daily...Hobbies include playing video games, hanging out with friends and watching game film...Majoring in supply chain and information systems.