Penn State offensive lineman Olu Fashanu has long been considered a future top pick in the NFL Draft, and the 21-year-old took another step closer to making that a reality by declaring for the draft Friday.

Fashanu was a projected first-rounder in 2022 before returning to the Nittany Lions, where he earned All-America honors and was recognized as the Big Ten’s top offensive lineman. He said he returned to school, among other reasons to earn his degree and he walked at Penn State’s graduation last week.

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“I felt that most of the things I wanted to accomplish have gotten accomplished in the last four years,” Fashanu said last Friday at the team’s bowl media day. “(Graduation), when I walk, it’s definitely going to feel like a full-circle moment.”

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Fashanu the No. 5 draft prospect in his midseason rankings, and Brugler pegged Fashanu to be picked with the No. 5 pick in the most recent mock draft.

In his statement declaring for the draft, Fashanu indicated that he will be traveling with the No. 10 Nittany Lions for the Peach Bowl on Dec. 31 as they face No. 11 Ole Miss.

“A year ago I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to declare for the NFL draft. I am forever grateful that I made the decision to come back and compete with my brothers one last time while also graduating,” Fashanu said in his statement. “With that being said, I am proud to announce that I will be declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. I look forward to spending time with my teammates and coaches in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl.”

How his game translates to the NFL

Fashanu would have been a top-10 pick if he entered last year’s NFL Draft, but he elected to return and didn’t disappoint in 2023 for the Nittany Lions. He is among the best pass protecting left tackle prospects that I have scouted over the last decade. With an explosive lower half, he looks effortless out of his stance and displays clean movement control for quick wins or easy recoveries. When rushers try to attack his cylinder, he absorbs power, sits down and stuffs his man. As a run blocker, Fashanu is a work in progress and often falls off too many blocks. But he showed steady improvement throughout this past season and scouts love the development he has shown for a player who only turned 21 years old earlier this month.

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Fashanu projects as a starting left tackle as an NFL rookie and there are Pro Bowls in his future, which is why he is expected to be drafted somewhere in the top 10 picks. In a stacked offensive tackle draft class, Fashanu is near the top of the stack and will be OT1 for several teams. — Dane Brugler, NFL Draft writer

What Fashanu would mean for Penn State in the Peach Bowl

The Nittany Lions’ starting left tackle and team captain will travel to the bowl site with the team but it remains unclear if Fashanu will play in the Peach Bowl. James Franklin spoke previously about wanting to work with players on a plan for the bowl game that’s fair for both sides. Fashanu, a team captain, spoke last week at the team’s bowl media day about the importance of sticking with his teammates throughout bowl week. He has continued practicing with the team.

Thus far, Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson is the only PSU player who opted out of the bowl game. Cornerback Kalen King has yet to announce whether or not he will return next season. — Audrey Snyder, Penn State writer

How Penn State fills this hole

Between Fashanu and right tackle Caedan Wallace, the latter who announced earlier this month he won’t pursue a sixth season and instead will work toward the NFL, the Nittany Lions are in the midst of remaking their offensive line. Look for Drew Shelton, who started last year in place of Fashanu when he was injured, to be the left tackle of the future. Franklin didn’t shy away from saying this week that Penn State needs more offensive tackles, whether through the transfer portal or in the second signing period. — Snyder

Required reading

(Photo: Randy Litzinger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)