Tag: Olumuyiwa Fashanu

Penn State coach James Franklin surprises Chop Robinson at draft party

James Franklin managed to drive across Maryland with only seconds to spare to celebrate with Chop Robinson on Thursday night.

The Penn State Nittany Lions saw two of their players get picked in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. The New York Jets took offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu at No. 11 overall and the Miami Dolphins picked pass rusher Chop Robinson 10 selections later.

Penn State coach James Franklin was there to celebrate with both players.

While both are from the state of Maryland, it takes about an hour to make the drive from Fashanu’s hometown to Robinson’s. So Franklin barely made it in time for Robinson to get the phone call from the Dolphins and celebrate with the family.

A video posted by the Penn State football program shows Franklin burst through the front door while Robinson is already talking to Dolphins general manager Chris Grier.

While he was there to celebrate with Robinson in person, Franklin also went to social media to congratulate him.

Robinson began his collegiate career with the Maryland Terrapins before transferring to join Penn State in 2022. In his final season with the team, Robinson earned First Team All-Big Ten and Third Team All-American honors.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

 

Penn State OT Olu Fashanu drafted by Jets with no. 11 overall pick in 2024 NFL draft

Penn State’s top draft prospect in the 2024 NFL draft is officially off the board!

Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu is officially heading off to the NFL. The New York Jets selected Fashanu with the no. 11 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft on Thursday night in Detroit, Michigan.

Fashanu was a part of Penn State’s Class of 2020 and committed to the Nittany Lions in the summer of 2019 out of his home state of Maryland. Fashanu committed to Penn State prior to visits to Florida and Michigan, which he canceled immediately after committing. He did not play for the Nittany Lions during the COVID-impacted 2020 season but did appear in nine games during the 2021 season. His first start came in the 2022 Outback Bowl against Arkansas, and he took over a starting role at left tackle for the 2022 season.

It did not take long for Fashanu to build a solid reputation as a draft prospect. After earning second-team All-Big Ten honors during the 2022 season, Fashanu made the surprising decision to return to Penn State for the 2023 season rather than declare early for the NFL draft. Fashanu was projected to be a possible first-round draft pick in the 2023 draft if he entered, and his return for Penn State did nothing to diminish that outlook overall.

Fashanu finished his college football career earning first-team All-Big Ten in 2023 and the Big Ten’s award for the conference’s top offensive lineman (Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year). He was also a consensus All-American for the 2023 season.

Catch all of the latest updates from the NFL draft with USA TODAY’s live draft tracker. For a look at each Penn State draft prospect, be sure to check out our Penn State NFL draft tracker.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

New York Jets select Penn State OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu with the 11th overall pick. Grade: A

The Jets traded down from 10 to 11, and still got the guy who may be the best pure left tackle in this draft class.

Well, the Jets traded down from 10 to 11, and still got the guy who may be the best pure left tackle in this draft class. Fashanu isn’t the most powerful guy, but he’s ready-made as a blindside protector, and boy, did the Jets need that. 

Olumuyiwa Fashanu was a three-star recruit out of Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., where he blocked for Caleb Williams for a time — Williams was a year behind him in high school. Basketball was his primary outlet through elementary and middle schools until his high school football coaches got a load of his size and athleticism. He chose Penn State over Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, and other programs.

Fashanu received feedback from NFL evaluators telling him that he should make himself available to the league after a 2022 season in which he allowed no sacks, one quarterback hit, and six quarterback hurries.

But the 6-foot-6, 309-pound blocker came back for his 2023 season and hot his degree in supply chain and information systems in December, 2023. He allowed no sacks, no quarterback hits, and 10 quarterback hurries in 382 pass-blocking reps in his 2023 campaign — his second as a full-time starter for the Nittany Lions. The 21-year-old Fashanu shows just about every attribute you can ask from an offensive tackle, and as soon as he’s able to put it all together, he has All-Pro potential.

PLUSES

— Easy footwork around the arc allows him to deal with counters and late in the down movement.

— Mirrors very well out of a quick ready stance; easily picks up stunts and counters.

— Rarely lets anyone into his chest. He’s clearly used to physically dominating his opponents.

— Will absolutely bury guys once he gets a head of steam to the second level.

MINUSES

— Ohio State game was the negative exception; Fashanu struggled to pick up different kinds of pressure and was late with his eyes and hands too often.

— Will lose his latch at times later in the down.

— Still working to consistently pick up line games.

— Doesn’t always pick up his target in space.

— Playing too upright could get him in trouble at the NFL level.

Fashanu is still a bit raw from a technique and awareness perspective, but there is absolutely elite tackle potential on his tape. He could be a guy who spot-starts in his first season as he acquires the benefits of NFL coaching, and then… well, watch out.

Charles Davis shares mock draft with updated projections for Penn State prospects

Charles Davis shared his mock draft for the 2024 NFL draft. Here is where Penn State’s top draft prospects appear.

Mock draft season is about to close up shop, but there is still some time for final editions and adjustments to be made to mock drafts before the real thing kicks off on Thursday evening in Detroit. Among the football experts sharing their final mock drafts in the final hours of mock draft season is Charles Davis. Davis, like a number of final mock draft, predicts a pair of Nittany Lions going in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.

The highest Penn State player on Davis’ mock draft is offensive tackle Olu Fashanu, who has long been considered Penn State’s top draft prospect. According to Davis’ mock draft, Fashanu could be heading to the New Orleans Saints with the no. 14 overall selection.

“The Saints need a left tackle, and Fashanu is their guy,” Davis says in his mock draft analysis. If Davis’ prediction comes true, Fashanu will be the fourth offensive tackle selected in the NFL draft. In three versions of his mock draft this draft season, Davis has been firm on the Saints selecting Fashanu.

But the first round will not conclude without another Penn State star being selected according to Davis and his mock draft. Defensive end Chop Robinson is slotted at the no. 26 overall pick owned by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Davis’ mock draft.

“Tampa banks on the potential and expected elevation of this speedy edge rusher whose numbers should improve in the NFL,” said Davis.  Davis notes he could see the Bucs going with some help for the offensive line as well, specifically at center. But Penn State’s Hunter Nourzad would likely be far down the big board at the center position.

Davis did not have Robinson being selected in the first round of his second version of the mock draft, but he did have the Philadelphia Eagles picking him in his first edition with the no. 22 overall pick. So perhaps Robinson has momentum in his favor at the right time.

You can view the full Charles Davis mock draft via NFL.com. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also predicts Fashanu and Robinson going in the first round, although he is higher on both players in his first-round mock draft.

Penn State did not have a player selected in the first-round of the 2023 NFL draft, although cornerback Joey Porter Jr. was the no. 32 overall player selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers (there were only 31 draft picks in the first round due to the Miami Dolphins forfeiting a draft pick).

Here is a look back at every first-round draft pick in Penn State history. See where Penn State ranks on the all-time draft pick rankings heading into the 2024 draft, and see how the 18 Big Ten schools compare to each other.

Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

Cory Bonini’s 2024 NFL mock draft 3.0

Quarterbacks dominate our final mock draft update of 2024.

Here’s my final 2024 NFL mock draft. Be sure to check our NFL Draft Central page for the rest of our mocks, player scouting reports, and post-draft analysis of every key pick relevant to fantasy football.

*projected trade

[lawrence-related id=488815]

12 prospects for Broncos at pick No. 12 of the 2024 NFL draft

The Broncos are set to pick 12th overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Here are 12 players who could fall to that spot.

The 2024 NFL draft is set to begin on Thursday and (barring a trade) the Denver Broncos will select 12th overall in the first round. 

We already have a pretty good idea of which players will be picked before the Broncos go on the clock. Quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye are all expected to go early, followed by receivers Marvin Harrison, Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. Offensive lineman Joe Alt is also likely to go off the board before Denver picks at No. 12. 

So, who will be left for Denver? 

We’ve put together a quick list of 12 players who — hypothetically — have a chance of falling to the Broncos. Nothing is guaranteed, of course, and the draft always features multiple surprises, but at least half of the players on this list should be available when Denver is set to pick at No. 12. 

The two most “unrealistic” options included are Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Alabama pass rusher Dallas Turner, but there are scenarios in which one or both of them could fall to the Broncos. 

Check out our full list of 12 potential targets for Denver below. 

2024 NFL mock draft: Kevin Hickey

Several projected trades reshape the draft landscape.

Kevin Hickey’s first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

*projected trade

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 New England Patriots QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Minnesota Vikings (from LAC)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
6 New York Giants WR Malik Nabers LSU
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze Washington
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
12 Denver Broncos EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
13 Las Vegas Raiders CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
14 New Orleans Saints OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
15 Indianapolis Colts WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
16 Seattle Seahawks DL Byron Murphy II Texas
17 Jacksonville Jaguars CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
18 Cincinnati Bengals DL Jer’Zhan Newton Illinois
19 Los Angeles Rams EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT JC Latham Alabama
21 Miami Dolphins OT Graham Barton Duke
22 Buffalo Bills (from PHI)* WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
23 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
24 Dallas Cowboys OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
25 Green Bay Packers OT Tyler Guyton Oklahoma
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) CB Cooper DeJean Iowa
28 Philadelphia Eagles (from BUF)* CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
29 Detroit Lions EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
30 Baltimore Ravens EDGE Darius Robinson Missouri
31 San Francisco 49ers OT Amarius Mims Georgia
32 Kansas City Chiefs CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. Missouri

[lawrence-related id=488774]

2024 NFL mock draft: HC Green

QBs and WRs dominate the latest mock draft from The Huddle.

HC Green’s first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

*projected trade

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 New England Patriots QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Minnesota Vikings (from LAC)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
6 New York Giants WR Malik Nabers LSU
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze Washington
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 Los Angeles Chargers (from MIN)* OT JC Latham Alabama
12 Denver Broncos OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
13 Las Vegas Raiders CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
14 New Orleans Saints IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
15 Indianapolis Colts CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
16 Seattle Seahawks DL Byron Murphy II Texas
17 Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
18 Cincinnati Bengals OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
19 Los Angeles Rams EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT Graham Barton Duke
21 Miami Dolphins EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
22 Philadelphia Eagles OT Amarius Mims Georgia
23 Los Angeles Chargers (from HOU>MIN)* WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
24 Dallas Cowboys OT Tyler Guyton Oklahoma
25 Green Bay Packers CB Cooper DeJean Iowa
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers CB Nate Wiggins Clemson
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
28 Buffalo Bills WR Xavier Worthy Texas
29 Detroit Lions IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
30 Baltimore Ravens CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
31 Las Vegas Raiders (from SF)* QB Michael Penix Jr. Washington
32 Kansas City Chiefs WR Ladd McConkey Georgia

[lawrence-related id=488715]

2024 NFL mock draft: Harley Schultz

Check out the newest mock draft from The Huddle!

Harley Schultz’s first mock draft of 2024 is now out. Sound off on social media and let us know what you think.

We’ll be unveiling several more mock drafts leading up to the real thing, so be sure to check back with our 2024 NFL Draft Central page to keep track of all of our offerings.

*projected trade

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1

Pick NFL team Pos Player School
1 Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams USC
2 Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels LSU
3 Minnesota Vikings (from NE)* QB Drake Maye North Carolina
4 Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Ohio State
5 Los Angeles Chargers WR Malik Nabers LSU
6 New York Giants WR Rome Odunze Washington
7 Tennessee Titans OT Joe Alt Notre Dame
8 Atlanta Falcons EDGE Dallas Turner Alabama
9 Chicago Bears EDGE Jared Verse Florida State
10 New York Jets TE Brock Bowers Georgia
11 New England Patriots (from MIN)* QB J.J. McCarthy Michigan
12 Indianapolis Colts (from DEN)* CB Quinyon Mitchell Toledo
13 Dallas Cowboys (from LV)* WR Brian Thomas Jr. LSU
14 New Orleans Saints OT Taliese Fuaga Oregon State
15 Philadelphia Eagles (from IND>DEN)* IOL Jackson Powers-Johnson Oregon
16 Seattle Seahawks IOL Troy Fautanu Washington
17 Jacksonville Jaguars CB Terrion Arnold Alabama
18 Cincinnati Bengals OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu Penn State
19 Los Angeles Rams DL Byron Murphy II Texas
20 Pittsburgh Steelers OT JC Latham Alabama
21 Miami Dolphins OT Graham Barton Duke
22 Denver Broncos (from PHI)* QB Bo Nix Oregon
23 New England Patriots (from CLE>HOU>MIN)* OT Amarius Mims Georgia
24 Las Vegas Raiders (from DAL)* QB Michael Penix Jr. Washington
25 Green Bay Packers CB Cooper DeJean Iowa
26 Tampa Bay Buccaneers EDGE Laiatu Latu UCLA
27 Arizona Cardinals (from HOU) EDGE Chop Robinson Penn State
28 Buffalo Bills WR Adonai Mitchell Texas
29 Detroit Lions EDGE Darius Robinson Missouri
30 Baltimore Ravens CB Kool-Aid McKinstry Alabama
31 San Francisco 49ers DL Jer’Zhan Newton Illinois
32 Kansas City Chiefs CB Nate Wiggins Clemson

[lawrence-related id=488681]

Should the Ravens trade up to draft Penn State left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu?

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), never allowed a sack or even a QB hit his entire college career.

Ronnie Stanley is no longer the Baltimore Ravens’ answer to all their questions at left tackle. His contract was restructured this offseason to convey the club’s need to rebuild at the position.

Additionally, Morgan Moses was traded to the New York Jets, meaning Baltimore has a void at this crucial position. An early-round pick in this year’s draft would be the perfect place to address this issue.

A mock draft previously posted on this site projected the Ravens trading up to #17 to take Olumuyiwa Fashanu out of Penn State University. That is the range where he is projected to go, so it’s clear the Ravens would have to trade up to take him. Fashanu, the Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year (the second PSU player to win the award, joining A.Q Shipley in 2008), would be worth it.

Having allowed zero sacks in 382 pass-blocking plays this past season, he could be the next guy entrusted to protect the blind side of Lamar Jackson. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Fashanu never allowed a sack or even a quarterback hit during his entire college career. During his three years at State College, he only allowed 16 pressures/hurries on 733 pass protection snaps.

He’s also the poster child for being a “high character guy” with no “off-the-field issues.” Named a repeat team captain, “Olu” was also a 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy finalist. The award is presented annually to the nation’s top football scholar-athlete, and making the shortlist truly reflects his intelligence. Fashanu will have no issues picking up any new blocking schemes, and he’s an efficient player who doesn’t make mistakes.

He led the way for a Nittany Lions unit that ranked fourth (entering the Peach Bowl) in the country in red zone offense, scoring on 58 of 61 opportunities (95 percent: 47 touchdowns and 11 field goals). Penn St. O only lost six turnovers on the year, which was good for the second-best mark in the nation.

Fashanu seems like the perfect guy to work under Harbaugh, as he has a rapid “plug-and-play” learning curve.