Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1520787
3 0 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 2 4 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State had arguably its best NFL Draft of the James Franklin coach- ing era this year. Eight Nittany Lions were chosen in the seven-round draft, which took place April 25-27 in Detroit. That total was tied with PSU's 2022 contingent for the largest of the Franklin era, and two of those play- ers were selected in the first round, with offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu go- ing 11th overall to the New York Jets and defensive end Chop Robinson chosen 10 picks later by the Miami Dolphins. Their selections marked the first time since 2021 that PSU had two first-rounders in the same draft. Fashanu was PSU's high- est pick since running back Saquon Bar- kley went second overall to the New York Giants in 2018. Here's a look at where the Nittany Li- ons' newest NFL players are headed, with commentary from BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr about how they fit with their new teams. Olumuyiwa Fashanu Team: New York Jets Round: First Pick: 11th overall The Details: Fashanu was being hailed as a potential first-rounder almost from the moment he cracked Penn State's starting lineup in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 2022. Scouts and pundits were im- pressed with his physical tools, and the 6-foot-6, 312-pounder did nothing in his 21 career starts to suggest that those initial evaluations were off-target. He allowed just 1 sack in his career, which is a major reason why the Jets snared him with the first of their seven picks in the 2024 draft. A consensus All-American last fall, Fashanu became the first Nittany Lion offensive line- man since Levi Brown in 2005 to hear his name called in the draft's opening round. James Franklin Says: "The New York Jets just drafted a tremendous man and teammate who will be an un- believable representative of their or- ganization. It's been an honor to have Olu and his family be a part of our pro- gram. He is a model student-athlete who earned his degree from the Smeal College of Business with a 3.45 GPA." Offensive Line Coach Phil Traut- wein Says: "Olu is ready for this next chapter with the New York Jets. During his four years with us, he was determined to be great and always took a professional approach on how he did things, both on the football field and in the classroom. He was always an elite role model for every- body in our offensive line room and the rest of his teammates. It was never about Olu, it was always about his teammates." Thomas Frank Carr Analysis: Fashanu will be called on to protect the blind side of future Hall of Fame quarter- back Aaron Rodgers while the Jets push in all their chips to chase a Super Bowl with the 40-year-old quarterback. Professional Grade Eight Nittany Lions were chosen in another strong NFL Draft for James Franklin's program Chosen 11th overall by the New York Jets, offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu was Penn State's highest draft choice since running back Saquon Barkley went second to the Giants in 2018. PHOTO COURTESY NEW YORK JETS