Don’t worry Penn State fans, prized left tackle and future first round NFL Draft pick Olu Fashanu is fine, but coach James Franklin and his staff aren’t going to keep Fashanu on the field longer than they have to this season. His future is too bright and he’s far too important to the Nittany Lion’s offensive success to risk an injury over meaningless snaps.
So if you noticed he made a fairly early exit in the Nittany Lions’ romp of Delaware, don’t worry, he was just resting his legs.
“The games are more like the way you described it as situational,” Franklin said on Tuesday during his weekly press conference. “You know, if we can get him out, then we wanted to get him out. We wanted to try to get him out as early as we could and we were able to do that. It’s all what the game dictates to allow us to go out and win and be successful and put really good tape out there and show everyone what a phenomenal player he is and he’s the best offensive lineman in college football.
“So to me it’s more about managing practice, managing the games based on the situation.”
Considering that Fashanu is a projected first round choice if not potentially a Top 10 pick, it makes sense that Franklin and company aren’t rushing him out there to get hurt over meaningless snaps. Also if you consider the fact Fashanu is responsible for sophomore quarterback Drew Allar’s blindside, nothing helps a young starting quarterback quite like knowing he’s well protected from behind. As Penn State has seen seasons crumble over the lack of depth in the trenches, losing a player like Fashanu would be catastrophic for the Nittany Lions’ chances in 2023, especially after having already lost the services of fellow lineman Landon Tengwall – who was forced to medically retire from football – just prior to the start of the season.
So don’t worry, Fashanu is fine, and Penn State’s coaching staff is doing its best to make it stays that way.
