Tackle Olu Fashanu passing on NFL Draft to stay at Penn State

Olu Fashanu, Penn State’s left tackle who emerged this fall as a first-round NFL Draft prospect, announced Monday that he will return to school in 2023.

“For the last three years, I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to be around a group of extremely hardworking individuals,” Fashanu wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. “Everyone in this program has pushed me to become a better football player, and more importantly, a better man. Having the opportunity to play in Beaver Stadium in front of the best fans in the world this past year has been great and I will never forget the moments that were created with this team this season.

“Although playing in the NFL is a goal of mine, there is still more that I want to achieve personally and collectively as a program. After several conversations with my parents and coaches, I will be returning to Penn State for the 2023 season. I want to thank my family, teammates and coaches who have helped me get to this point in my life. My work here is far from over and I look forward to getting back to work with my brothers.”

Fashanu’s decision is monumental for Penn State’s 2023 hopes.

The 19-year-old was a first-year starter this season for the Nittany Lions. In just eight games before picking up an injury against Ohio State, the 6-foot-6, 310-pounder established himself as arguably the top offensive line prospect in the upcoming NFL draft.

Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s lead NFL draft analyst, labeled Fashanu his No. 5 overall prospect in his midseason top 50 rankings. The redshirt sophomore who was hardly on anyone’s radar before the season was slotted behind only Alabama’s Bryce Young and Will Anderson, Georgia’s Jalen Carter and Clemson’s Myles Murphy.

“He’s shown enough on film to convince me that this guy is the best tackle prospect in the country,” Brugler said earlier this month. “And he’s going to have a tough decision to make after the year.”

It’s not a decision Fashanu took lightly. Those conversations with his family, head coach James Franklin and offensive line coach Phil Trautwein started weeks ago. Franklin said Fashanu’s phone was “ringing off the hook” with agents trying to get in contact with him, and it’s understandable why.

Two months into the season, Fashanu had yet to surrender a sack. He allowed only seven pressures, per Pro Football Focus. In his biggest tests of the season against Auburn’s Derick Hall, Michigan’s Mike Morris and Ohio State’s Zach Harrison and J.T. Tuimoloau, Fashanu allowed two pressures.

“He has everything that (NFL scouts) want,” Trautwein said a few weeks ago, pointing out Fashanu’s footwork, athleticism and recovery skills. “He has the intelligence to play any position if you wanted to, and he’s just an overall great kid. … They’re always trying to find red flags. And there’s not one red flag on Olu.”

If Fashanu left and was drafted in the top 10, he would have made some serious money. Last year’s top tackle off the board — N.C. State’s Ikem Ekwonu to the Carolina Panthers at No. 6 overall — signed a four-year, $27.6 million contract.

But Fashanu values his education; the possible Academic All-American should complete his supply chain management degree in the fall. He also knows what kind of potential Penn State has in 2023.

Fashanu wasn’t the only standout player to emerge this fall. True freshmen Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen have combined to form one of the best running back duos in college football. Former five-star prospect Drew Allar is set to take over the reins at quarterback from sixth-year senior Sean Clifford. And the defense under coordinator Manny Diaz has plenty of promise, headlined by freshman linebacker Abdul Carter.

Coming off a 10-2 season, with a chance to possibly get a 11th win in a New Year’s Six bowl, there’s no shortage of optimism around the Nittany Lions entering 2023. Fashanu’s decision only adds to that.