Penn State’s Olu Fashanu breaks down decision to skip NFL draft, return for 2023 season

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State safety Keaton Ellis poses for a 360 video during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

PASADENA, Calif. — This time last year, Olu Fashanu was preparing to make his first start. Fashanu, then a redshirt freshman, took over at left tackle in the Outback Bowl with Rasheed Walker out injured and was a standout performer in the loss.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State head coach James Franklin enjoys a laugh with University Police Sgt. Monica Himes during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

That was only a peek of what was to come.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State defensive tackle Dvon Elliesraps as linebacker Curtis Jacobs holds the mic and defensive tackle Coziah Izzard reacts during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Now, Fashanu is maybe the best offensive tackle in college football. The All-Big Ten honoree was pegged with a first-round NFL draft grade after only eight starts this fall. And much to the delight of the Nittany Lions, a few weeks ago he opted to return to Penn State for the 2023 season.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS The Penn State team photo session during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Fashanu, speaking to PennLive, was mum on his availability for the Rose Bowl. He acknowledged that, at the very least, he’ll be back for spring practice after suffering an undisclosed injury against Ohio State on Oct. 29. Fashanu traveled with the team to Los Angeles but hasn’t been at practice for either media window.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State quarterback Drew Allar speaks to reporters during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

He was, however, at Saturday’s Rose Bowl media day, where he reflected on his rapid rise from a backup in 2021 to an All-American in 2022.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith poses for a 360 video during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

“It was a little crazy,” Fashanu said of his increased draft stock. “Last year any gametime I got was garbage minutes. I didn’t spend too much time during the season looking at all that stuff. But it did catch me a little off-guard. It was a little bit of a surprise when my teammates were showing me those kinds of things.”

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State running back Nick Singleton speaks to reporters during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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Two months into the season, Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s lead NFL draft analyst, labeled Fashanu his No. 5 overall prospect. The 6-foot-6, 310-pounder was slotted on that list behind only Alabama’s Bryce Young and Will Anderson, Georgia’s Jalen Carter and Clemson’s Myles Murphy.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS The Penn State team photo session during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Brugler told PennLive that eight games is all he needed to see to declare Fashanu “the best tackle prospect in the country” at only 19 years old.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz hangs out with coaches Anthony POindexter and John Scott Jr. during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

In those eight games, Fashanu didn’t surrender a sack. He allowed only seven pressures, per Pro Football Focus, and mostly shut down Auburn’s Derick Hall, Michigan’s Mike Morris and Ohio State’s Zach Harrison and J.T. Tuimoloau.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State cornerback Kalen King (4) is pumped up following the team photo session during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Any NFL team would have loved to have Fashanu. But on Nov. 28, the star tackle announced that he would be coming back for another year with the Nittany Lions.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State head coach James Franklin helps direct players during the team photo session during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Fashanu said he made his decision only a couple days before his announcement on social media. He met with head coach James Franklin, offensive line coach Phil Trautwein and his family, and all three parties “completely backed” his choice.

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State will take on Utah as helmets are displayed during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Fashanu’s biggest reason for coming back? Between five-star quarterback Drew Allar, tailbacks Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen and a strong offensive line, he’s confident in what Penn State has coming back

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS The Penn State team photo session during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

“I know this isn’t our ceiling,” Fashanu said, looking around at his teammates days before the Rose Bowl. “I know we can do a lot better. ... I knew that with the team that we have going into next year, we have the potential to be even better than we were this year. I just wanted to have an opportunity to be a part of that.

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“It’s going to be great, another opportunity to work with my brothers. It’s going to be a great offseason, and I have no doubt in my mind that we’re all going to be working hard. Because we all know we have the potential.”

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Penn State wide receiver KeAndre Lambert-Smith poses for a 360 video during Rose Bowl media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

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© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS Injured Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu sits out the Michigan State on Nov. 26, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

© JOE HERMITT/pennlive.com/TNS The Rose Bowl trophy on display during media day, on Dec. 31, 2022. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com