Can Penn State football produce the #1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Back in November of 2022 Penn State football offensive tackle Olumuyiwa “Olu” Fashanu announced that he would return to college for his junior year in 2023. Several mock drafts during the 2022 season had him going in the first round, but Olu Fashanu decided to return to the Nittany Lions to get his degree, improve his game, and potentially increase his NFL Draft stock.

Can Penn State football produce the #1 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Dick Weiss is a hall-of-fame sports columnist that has covered college football for the New York Daily News and has provided coverage on 35 college football national championship games, recently shared his perspective on Olu Fashanu and that he believes he is  “in conversation for No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL draft.”

Penn State offensive tackle Olumuyima Fashanu in conversation for No. 1 pick in next year's NFL draft. Best tackle on the board by far.

— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) July 22, 2023

This certainly is an interesting take as the 2024 NFL Draft class will consist of 2022 Heisman Trophy winner USC QB Caleb Williams, UNC QB Drake Maye, OSU WR Marvin Harrison Jr, and several other elite prospects. But the consistency that Fashanu has played with throughout his Penn State career makes me believe that this is possible. The biggest factor here is which NFL team lands the 2024 #1 pick as if they already have an established quarterback, which will shake up their decision-making.

If Olu Fashanu can stay healthy and continue to improve on his already elite resume which includes 281 pass block reps with 0 sacks allowed during the 2022 season, we certainly could hear this Nittany Lion’s name called first in the 2024 NFL draft.

Olu Fashanu anchors a top offensive line unit this fall

Olu Fashanu was thrown into the starting lineup during the 2021 Outback Bowl against Arkansas and has never looked back. The former three-star recruit from Waldorf, Maryland has drastically improved the offensive line play for Penn State. He has become the anchor of the offensive line and with the help of him and teammates Landon Tengwall, Hunter Nourzad, Sal Wormley, Drew Shelton, and Caedan Wallace the on-field performance was night and day between 2021 and 2022.

A once weak point for Penn State has become a strength not only on the field but in terms of recruiting as well. OL coach Phil Trautwein, Olu Fashanu, and the rest of the Penn State offensive line have made Happy Valley become a popular destination for 2023 and 2024 offensive line recruits. Which will establish a core of collective talent for years to come. It’s a comforting fact that Drew Allar will stand behind an experienced and talented offensive line unit when he takes his first snaps as a starter this fall.

Olu Fashanu will be in Indianapolis this week representing Penn State at the Big Ten Media Days which take place July 26-27th. It will be interesting to hear his perspective about this 2023 Penn State team.

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