REPORT: Ex-Penn State football star Olu Fashanu exits NFL Combine with injury

Former Penn State football star Olu Fashanu had to cut his NFL Combine workout short Sunday due to a right leg injury, per reports. Early indications are that the injury is not serious, and that Fashanu should be able to compete at the Nittany Lions Pro Day later in March. Fashanu is projected to be the top Nittany Lion taken in April’s NFL Draft.

Former Penn State OL Olu Fashanu cuts NFL Combine workout short with injury

Activities at the NFL Combine were cut short for former Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu, who ended his workout early Sunday due to a leg injury. According to reports, Fashanu was seen with an ice pack around his right thigh after his 40-yard dash attempts. 

The Nittany Lion tackle later indicated to reporters that his day was done, but that he expects to participate in the Pro Day put on by Penn State football on March 15.

Unfortunately Penn State’s Olu Fashanu told me he is done for the day at the combine. Told me it’s a right thigh injury. Said he should be okay by his pro day March 15. Ultra competitive and an awesome guy, he’s in good spirits.

— StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) March 3, 2024

Olu Fashanu impressed the NFL Draft scouts before exiting the Combine, running a 5.11 40 on Sunday afternoon. The Penn State football star is widely expected to be a top 10 pick in April’s NFL Draft. The latest mock draft from CBS Sports has the Waldorf, Maryland, native going No. 10 overall to the New York Jets. 

A solid 5.11u for Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork 
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MI8ku25UhX

— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2024

The Rimington-Pace Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Olu Fashanu became the 102nd All-American in Penn State football history last fall. The star tackle didn’t allow a sack and gave up only 11 pressures across 382 passing snaps in 2023.

Other Nittany Lions at the Combine

Olu Fashanu wasn’t the only Penn State football player to make headlines at this week’s NFL Combine. Both positively and negatively, multiple Nittany Lions impacted their NFL Draft stock with their workouts this weekend. 

Defensive end Chop Robinson generated buzz coming out of his workout Friday, leading EDGE rushers in the 40-yard dash and broad jump, while setting records with his 10-yard split time. Theo Johnson also flashed, finishing first or second among tight ends in every Combine event. He also had one of the highest Relative Athletic Scores for a tight end since 1987. 

On the other side of the coin, there are some discussions that defensive back Kalen King could slip to a potential Day 3 NFL Draft pick after a less-than-stellar outing at the Combine.

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