Olumuyiwa Fashanu Is The Next Great NFL Offensive Tackle

Penn State’s Olumuyiwa Fashanu has it all – – he is super athletic, he has long strong arms and he can dance like a 321-pound ballerina.

He is everything an NFL team could want in a left tackle (LT).

The three games on game film I just got done watching of Fashanu blocking is about as close to textbook as I have ever seen.

This guy could put on a clinic on how to play the position.

The great ones are fun to watch. They are few and far between, but man are they fun to watch when I come across one.

Fashanu has great lateral footwork and foot speed

It’s the thing that separates the greats at the position.

Fashanu has a quick first step and he slides out easily, efficiently, and with speed.

I never saw him cross over his footwork once in these three games. He stayed square and maintained his base.

That’s really impressive.

He’s super athletic with a mean streak

Fashanu can move around with ease for a man his size.

He also has explosive power he can transfer from his lower body to his upper body when he gets into a block and rolls his hips.

There’s no problem getting out to the second level, heck, he even showed he can run way downfield and he looked good doing it.

Fashanu is a gifted and special athlete, and from time to time, he will drive a defender inside to the turf.

He’s not one of these finesse touch-tag blockers, he has a little mean streak that comes out from time to time.

While he stays mostly upright, he will pancake a few and I love that about him.

Oh those long strong arms…

Fashanu is like a forcefield shielding the pocket with his size, athleticism, strength, determination, and lenthy reach.

He uses his hands exceptionally well and uses those long arms to maintain separation and control.

Once he gets his hands on a pass rusher, it’s all but over.

He did not allow one sack in the games I watched.

Top 5 pick

There is no question we are looking at LT1 in the 2023 NFL Draft class.

There’s good – – and then there’s Fashanu.

The elite top 10 talent always stands out, and always are a cut above the rest every year.

Fashanu will be one of the first names called when NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell goes up to the podium on the evening of April 27, 2023.

#74 Olumuyiwa Fashanu 6-foot-6, 321 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s Grade: First-Round – Early Fall 2022 Report

First Round Mock Big Board: TBD

Projected by 17.2% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of November 2, 2022 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2022 game film reviewed: Purdue, Auburn and Michigan (click to watch games viewed to form this evaluation)

Level of competition: High

NFL comparable: Rashawn Slater

2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report:

Extremely athletic offensive tackle with an elite pass protection skillset, and he can hold the point on runs. Demonstrates quick first kick step outward while effortlessly transitioning and shielding the shallow depth of the pocket. He is nimble and graceful looking setting up. Maintains a wide base that he does not compromise due to fluid and quick lateral footwork. Has good balance, while battling with long arms and good hand technique. Slides to the backdoor with ease, and can recover/transition back inside off the edge against spin and swim moves. Mentally can process stunts quickly and the only thing that got him was delayed blitzes, but even then he had what it took to get it done. Average anchor that can be challenged, but he is eventually able to hunker down. Held the point of attack on running plays, but had a tendency to release too soon. Showed willingness to drive defenders to the turf with leverage. No problem getting to the second level or downfield. An extremely impressive prospect who was about impossible to go through or get around.

What to watch for during the 2022 college football season:

1. Does he stay healthy?
2. How many sacks or pressures does he give up?
3. How does his anchor look against bull rush attempts?
4. Sustaining run blocks long enough?

Fashanu has what it takes to step right in and be an elite franchise-level tackle for the next decade.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He currently writes for Sports Illustrated New York Jets and he is the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. He can be followed on Twitter @firstroundmock.