Saturday’s Big Ten heavyweight matchup between Ohio State and Penn State features an individual battle that has pro scouts and NFL draft analysts ready to witness. Nittany Lions left tackle Olu Fashanu and Buckeyes EDGE
J.T. Tuimoloau will have scouting eyes attuned for their matchup within the huge game between top-10 teams.
Fashanu is an elite-level prospect for the 2024 NFL draft at left tackle, a likely top-10 overall pick based on current projections. He’s been a rock in pass protection, allowing just two QB pressures and committing two penalties all season. Fashanu pitched a shutout on 44 pass protection snaps vs. the Buckeyes a year ago and looks to do the same in Columbus on Saturday.
Tuimoloau had a big game in his own right in Happy Valley in last year’s meeting, though none of his two sacks or three QB hits came at Fashanu’s expense. He’s playing great, impactful football recently with three sacks and seven QB hits in Ohio State’s last two wins. Facing Fashanu is a big step up from the likes of Purdue and Maryland, however.
The Buckeyes move the 6-foot-4, 277-pound junior around the formation, so Tuimoloau and Fashanu won’t go head-to-head on every rep. Ohio State’s other primary pass rusher, Jack Sawyer, is also a 2024 prospect in his own right, generally projected in the 75-125 overall range at this point. It’s a nice proving ground for Fashanu, who has a chance to be the first non-QB selected in April.