Olumuyiwa Fashanu

Overall

Olumuyiwa Fashanu is a 6-6, 312-pound prospect who can succeed in the NFL with his prototypical size, length and athleticism. Coming into Penn State in 2020 as a 4-star recruit, Fashanu didn't become the starter until his junior season, but earned second or third team All-Big Ten honors. As a senior he improved, named a consensus All-Big 10 first team and was the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year. He was also a three-time Academic All-Big 10. Fashanu projects as an early first-round pick with a shot at being first offensive tackle drafted. 

Strengths: Fashanu's biggest strength is his mobility. On pass sets he shows quick and deliberate feet to mirror defenders. On run plays he is a weapon when pulling or attacking the second level on zone runs. Has good lower and upper-body strength to stop bull rushers and, on running plays, push around defenders at the point of attack. Technique-wise he feels very natural in pass pro. Has good punch timing and hand placement and, when combined with his good feet, can make him impenetrable at times. Shows good eyes and instincts when picking up stunts and loops. 

Weaknesses: Fashanu tends to play a little too high. In pass pro this can lead to him being out leveraged by shorter defenders who may try to bull rush him. In the run game, his pad level can leave him prone to being beat underneath or knocked over when hit from an unexpected angle. He doesn't look nearly as comfortable at run blocking at the point of attack as he looks in space. He will get himself in position to make an impact block just to not strike cleanly. Hand-wise he can get a bit grabby in both the run game and pass game, which will lead to more holding calls at the next level. 

Frankly: Olumuyiwa Fashanu is a talented offensive tackle who projects to be a good to great pass protector but will need to improve on his run blocking and technique in general to thrive in the NFL.  A good comp might be Jake Matthews, a 10-year vet in the NFL. That is based on athleticism but the lack of run blocking prowess has kept Matthews from being considered a top 10 tackle. If Fashanu can improve on his flaws, he has the potential to be a top-five OT in the NFL. I anticipate him going in the top 10 in the draft but after the more refined Joe Alt.

—Paul Duncan

Reviewing 2023

Week 11: With a chance to rejoin the playoff contention alive, Penn State played a superb Michigan team. Fashanu, like in the Ohio State game, played well until the fourth quarter. Fashanu, like Penn State, struggled in the fourth quarter, where he just played horribly. His lack of discipline is apparent when he lunged hard on one of his blocks and committed a false start. Before his poor play, he was great as he was good at pass and run blocking, even leading to two/three pancakes, which was exceptional against the Michigan defense. Overall, he played decently but was terrific until the fourth quarter. - Mailman

 

Week 8: Penn State's first big test of the year resulted in a 20-12 loss to Ohio State. Fashanu demonstrated excellent motor skills for three quarters of the game but eventually became sloppy in the fourth quarter. He did well in pass protection for much of the game, especially considering how talented the Ohio State front seven is. He demonstrated a good job of handling stunts, and his run blocking was good, too. The fourth quarter was poor, where Ohio State's defensive line pushed him around due to his undisciplined play, and he was even beaten on two spin moves. He allowed one sack during this stretch, but his performance was good overall. - Mailman

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

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.