‘He’s got everything you want’: Penn State OL coach Phil Trautwein on Olu Fashanu’s NFL stock, more

Phil Trautwein played with first-round picks when he won a national championship as Florida’s left tackle in 2008. He played with first-round picks during NFL stops with the Rams, Browns, Saints and Chargers. And he coached a first-round pick at Boston College, when guard Chris Lindstrom went No. 14 overall in 2019.

Trautwein knows what coaches, scouts and executives are looking for when spending a top-32 selection. And Penn State’s offensive line coach believes Olu Fashanu, the Nittany Lions’ standout left tackle catching the NFL’s eye, fits the mold.

“They’re always trying to find red flags. And there’s not one red flag on Olu,” Trautwein said on a Thursday conference call. “He’s got everything you want.”

Since the last time media members spoke to Trautwein, Fashanu’s NFL stock has taken off. Draft experts and analysts have the 6-foot-6, 308-pound redshirt sophomore pegged as a first-round pick. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler recently ranked Fashanu as the No. 5 overall prospect and No. 1 tackle in the 2023 draft.

Fashanu has yet to announce a decision on his future despite James Franklin acknowledging that preliminary conversations have been had with Penn State’s staff and the player’s family. Trautwein said Fashanu doesn’t want to be “a distraction.”

In the meantime, Fashanu is working to get healthy and return to the lineup after missing the Indiana game because of an injury suffered against Ohio State. Franklin said Tuesday that Fashanu’s status is “week to week.”

Before his injury, Fashanu was making good on the potential Trautwein saw in him well before the tackle’s breakout season as a first-year starter.

“Seeing the way he has progressed, his mindset, the way he works, the way he just attacks in the classroom. I mean, he’s in one of the hardest programs here at Penn State (supply chain management), and he’s crushing it,” Trautwein said. “He has that mindset of guys that are first-rounders.”

That mindset has translated into success for Fashanu and, subsequently, Penn State’s offensive line. The second-year player has allowed seven quarterback pressures and zero sacks on 281 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus. As a team, Penn State has surrendered 1.4 sacks per game, down from 2.6 in 2021.

“If you just look at him, you’re like, ‘I want that guy on my team,’ ” Trautwein said, when asked about how Fashanu projects to the NFL. “He anchors. He has really good power. Sometimes he isn’t in the best position, but he overcomes it with strength and power. He has good technique and good, violent hands. And he plays physical, which is what you need in the NFL, is to be able to play physical every single down.

“He’s only 19 years old. So a lot of people are like, ‘Man, just think in three, four years.’ So he has a projection and what scouts are looking at. Off the field, he has everything that they want as well. He has the intelligence to play any position if you want. And he’s just overall a great kid.”

On Cornell transfer Hunter Nourzad’s decision to return in 2023 …

It’s a big boost to have Nourzad in the fold next year. The Cornell transfer joined the program in May, wedged his way into a timeshare with Landon Tengwall at left guard in the opener and provided cover until needed when Tengwall went down during warmups at Michigan. Nourzad has started the last four games at left guard and is expected to stay there with Tengwall out for the remainder of the season.

If Fashanu leaves for the NFL and Tengwall is moved out to left tackle, Nourzad could man the left guard spot and provide another veteran presence on the 2023 o-line.

“He’s a guy that can come in, compete and start and have that leadership you want and that experience you want,” Trautwein said. “It’s big, man. Everybody was so excited. The O-line room was so excited when he announced. They welcomed him with open arms when he got here, and they’re excited that he’s coming back for another year. It’s big for our program.”

On center and captain Juice Scruggs’ leadership …

Quarterback Sean Clifford said after the win at Indiana that Scruggs is someone he looks up to and someone who sets the tone in the locker room. Trautwein backed up that claim.

It wasn’t always natural for the fifth-year senior to lead. But Scruggs has come into his own as the season has progressed. Last weekend, with Fashanu, Tengwall and Caedan Wallace out injured and Nourzad going down on the first snap, Scruggs was the focal (and vocal) point of a dominant effort by a makeshift line.

“Juice doesn’t really like to talk. He tries to keep to himself,” Trautwein said. “As a center, you can’t do that. You can’t keep to yourself because no one knows what to do on the play. … At first he was quiet, and now he’s screaming. He’s making sure everyone’s on the same page. He’s doing a heck of a job inside.”

On true freshman Drew Shelton’s early playing time …

Penn State’s emphasis on developing depth has shown up, especially on the offensive line. JB Nelson (Mt. Lebanon), a 2022 JUCO signee from Lackawanna, filled in for Nourzad at Indiana without a hitch. True freshman Vega Ioane has appeared in two games at guard. But the biggest example of a youngster stepping up has been Drew Shelton.

Shelton started at left tackle against the Hoosiers in his second appearance as a true freshman. Sure, Shelton gave up a few pressures. But the Downingtown native has caught the eye of Trautwein and could start again this weekend.

“He has the it,” Trautwein said. “His future’s so bright. I mean, he’s playing as a freshman. I didn’t play until my junior year, and I was able to play five years in the NFL. So he’s better than me. As you can see I’m excited about him. … You’re going to see a lot of ball out of Drew Shelton, for sure.”