Penn State Football: Top Draft Prospect Olu Fashanu Returning to Nittany Lions in 2023

Penn State redshirt sophomore left tackle Olu Fashanu will return to the Nittany Lions for the 2023 season, the star offensive lineman announced on Twitter early Monday evening.

“For the last three years, I’ve been blessed to have the opportunity to be around a group of extremely hardworking individuals,” Fashanu wrote. “Everyone in this program has pushed me to become a better football player, and more importantly, a better man. Although playing in the NFL is a goal of mine, there is still more that I want to achieve personally and collectively as a program. After several conversations with my parents and coaches, I will be returning to Penn State for the 2023 season.”

While there was some previously reported speculation that Fashanu would not declare for the NFL Draft, his return still comes as a bit of surprise situationally as many NFL Draft specialists have projected him as a potential top-10 pick in 2023 NFL mock drafts. Fashanu took over as the Nittany Lions’ full-time left tackle this season having started just one game previously — Penn State’s loss to Arkansas in last season’s Outback Bowl.

At 6-foot-6 and just over 300 pounds, Fashanu had started eight games this season for Penn State but has missed the last four with an apparent injury he suffered late in the Nittany Lions’ loss to Ohio State. Penn State coach James Franklin indicated earlier last week that Fashanu might return to action this season. The Nittany Lions will learn their bowl destination this upcoming weekend.

Elsewhere on the offensive line redshirt freshman guard Landon Tengwall underwent upper body surgery after starting five games this season and will also join Fashanu next year on Penn State’s talented offensive front. Senior guard/center Hunter Nourzad announced earlier in November that he will return to Penn State for his final year of eligibility in 2023.