Two Penn State football players stars named AP preseason All-Americans

The Penn State football team is loaded with star talent for the 2023 season. Several players have the potential to become 2024 first-round draft picks in the NFL Draft. But before they get to that point in their career they still will have at least one more season of college football representing the Blue and White. Then, on Monday afternoon the Associated Press released their first and second team Preseason All-Americans which featured two of Penn State’s best players in Olu Fashanu and Kalen King.

Two Penn State football stars named AP Preseason All Americans

It’s one thing to have your talent on the football field be recognized by mock drafts, but it’s another when the AP voters associate a player with being one of the best in the country at a given position. That’s where Olu Fashanu and Kalen King find themselves entering the 2023 season as both players earned first-team recognition on the AP preseason All-Americans.

Olu Fashanu was named to the AP Preseason first-team All-American as an offensive tackle along with Notre Dame’s Joe Alt. The two will have NFL Draft scouts arguing all season about who is the strongest future pro. Fashanu was just recently named a team captain for the Penn State football team as he looks to anchor the offensive line this fall. Protecting Drew Allar’s blind side will be a tall task but one that Fashanu has proven he can handle very well. In 2022, he allowed zero sacks in 281 pass-blocking attempts at left tackle. He is one of if not the best offensive tackle in the nation.

Representing the defensive side of the ball for Penn State is Kalen King who was also recognized as a first-team AP preseason All-American ahead of the 2023 season. King has been mentioned as one of the best cornerback prospects in the country after his monster performance in 2022 as he accounted for 21 passes defended which led the Big Ten last year. King and Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry represent the AP preseason All-American first team at the cornerback position.

Penn State will rely heavily on Fashanu & King this fall

Being selected for any preseason award is a great honor, but that honor also comes with added pressure to be great. That’s where Olu Fashanu and Kalen King find themselves this fall. While it’s great to have that recognition, both players will have a target on their backs each game. They will also receive the most difficult assignments by going up against the opposing team’s best players.

Their first test of the season is less than two weeks away as Penn State plays West Virginia in their season opener on September 2nd at 7:30 pm.

Thank you for reading Basic Blues Nation. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and insights on your favorite Penn State athletics. For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email us at basicbluesnation@gmail.com or direct message us on our social media. Also, be sure to check out our new site shop. It’s due to your support that we can become one of the market’s fastest-growing Penn State sports outlets!