Penn State OT Olu Fashanu, projected top 10 pick in the NFL draft, announces his return to PSU next year
Big news out of State College. PSU's OL was bad with him this year, and knowing PSU will still be bad next year, but him returning guarantees that they'll have at least one standout OL in front of "future program savior" Drew Allar next year. Now just to getting Allar some competent WRs, rest of the OL, HC, etc...
November 28th, 2022 at 5:19 PM ^
Very real possibility PSU is favored to win the Big Ten next year. A lot of talent combined with a really good season from them this year. Plus, we have to go to Happy Valley next year.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:27 PM ^
Looking at OSU's schedule next year, they might have a rocky road. Have to replace Stroud and go to South Bend and Madison, where both coaches would love to beat Day's ass and take his job
They get PSU the week before the trip to Madison, and Franklin always plays them tough. Sprinkle in a tricky trip to West Lafayette the week before that ... Day may be in trouble before even coming to Ann Arbor
https://fbschedules.com/2023-ohio-state-football-schedule/
November 28th, 2022 at 5:31 PM ^
No way they would be favored over Michigan. Michigan could be preseason number 1 in America with JJ returning, the front seven off of the best defense in America largely returning, Donovan Edwards coming back, All and Loveland at TE, and a great OL still. I think our weakpoints are who takes the corner job opposite Johnson and depth at that position and WRs. PSU would be 2nd best in the conference I think over OSU.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:35 PM ^
Really good season? They lost by multiple scores to the only two ranked teams they played. They were the Tengujo of paper tigers.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:36 PM ^
And they lucked into November Maryland and Minnesota without their starting QB.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:59 PM ^
That said, they are IMO solidly a top 10 team this year nationally, given the lack of elite teams. I'd take them over TCU or USC on a neutral field.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:03 PM ^
They gave up 41 points to us. USC could name a number and put up that many points on PSU
November 28th, 2022 at 7:09 PM ^
Sure, they could name a number and score that, then add 3 to get Penn St's point total. If you think OSU is soft, USC's defense is as marshmallowy as it gets
November 28th, 2022 at 6:11 PM ^
Both games would be shootouts, but I'd trust the USC and TCU offenses more than PSU's.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:13 PM ^
I haven't seen any power ratings that put USC above Penn St. And TCU just finally passed PSU in SP+. The difference is neither of those teams had to play us and OSU. Penn St would easily be the most physical team that USC has faced outside of Utah, who beat them
November 28th, 2022 at 6:32 PM ^
Yes, they had a really good season. 10-2 in what was supposed to be a down year and took OSU to the wire. After their opener against Purdue, they won every game by at least two scores.
November 28th, 2022 at 10:11 PM ^
Penn State went 4-5 and 7-6 the last 2 seasons ---- so, yes, 10-2 is a good season.
Depending on what projection one looks at, PSU could draw anyone from the Pac-12 champ (Rose Bowl, if OSU makes the playoff) to the ACC champ (Orange Bowl) to an SEC team (Citrus Bowl) to the American champ (Tulane or UCF, Cotton Bowl).
Playing and beating a Utah, Clemson or LSU would put a cherry on top of the 2022 campaign.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:35 PM ^
Let's wait to see all the departures after the season before anointing them the favorite next year. They stand to lose some talent on the defensive side of the ball.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:32 PM ^
I agree - I am not anointing the by any means. Just mentioning it's a very real possibility given all the talent they have returning.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:19 PM ^
Fashanu is an awesome player. Will be fun to have him in the conference again.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^
Penn State has a top 10 recruiting class this year. I am not sure how Penn State out recruits Michigan every year. It hasn't corresponded into them beating us consistently. My point is Penn State has talent, but a poor on-field coach.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^
Can we get both Zinter and Keegan back? That would be huge.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:25 PM ^
Good for him (and PSU) but - returning for one more year to get some of that great OL coaching from PSU? That seems....odd.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:28 PM ^
Makes zero sense was a top-ten pick would return to Penn State.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:58 PM ^
NIL finally having an impact on these decisions?
November 28th, 2022 at 6:02 PM ^
NIL is never going to outweigh a first round draft contract.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:22 PM ^
Sure looks like it just did.
There are other reasons to return to school besides NIL money, and Fashanu is citing several, but you have to figure NIL is a factor.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:01 PM ^
Maybe he really loves it there or isn't done with his degree yet and wants to finish?
November 28th, 2022 at 6:12 PM ^
Yeah. Who's saying "top 10" other than OP? I get that NIL is nice and all, and maybe it could incentivize a 3rd day draft pick to stay in school, but top 10? That's a hell of a lot of money to walk away from.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:24 PM ^
"I think he would have been the top tackle in this draft and a top-10 pick," one NFL scout told ESPN. "He's a check-all-the-boxes guy -- high character. He's a sure-fire high pick. It's an easy evaluation."
https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/35132143/top-nfl-draft-prospect-olu-fashanu-return-penn-state
November 28th, 2022 at 5:29 PM ^
For all of our greatness, I gotta say this here top 50 list is depressing as hell...
How on earth can Michigan - one of the top 5 programs now - not have one recruit listed here...
https://247sports.com/Season/2023-Football/CompositeRecruitRankings/?InstitutionGroup=HighSchool
November 28th, 2022 at 5:57 PM ^
2023 recruits completely bought the "Harbaugh to NFL" talk, plus NIL crap. No other explanation, really.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:00 PM ^
Michigan will be the darling of the Portal set.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:32 PM ^
That is a very bad decision.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:32 PM ^
Does Sean Clifford have a 7th year coming? Sorry, does Doctor Sean Clifford have a 7th year coming?
November 28th, 2022 at 5:40 PM ^
It’s too bad that he doesn’t—his son is an incoming freshman. Would have been neat to see them play together.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:32 PM ^
Eric All just posted an instagram reel saying he'll be back better than ever. https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClhXPqMgiAR/?igshid=Zjc2ZTc4Nzk=
November 28th, 2022 at 5:39 PM ^
That would be really nice.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:49 PM ^
Loveland and All…(drools)
November 28th, 2022 at 5:49 PM ^
Drew Allar may have all the arm talent in the world but he is a statue. No one is winning big with a QB like that anymore. Bennett, JJ, Duggan, and Caleb Williams are all a threat to run for chunks on any given play. The list goes on: Bryce Young, Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Hendon Hooker and even Sean Clifford are all mobile. Those guys play on the best teams in the sport right now. Stroud is the one exception and his lack of interest in scrambling may have killed their season.
November 28th, 2022 at 5:54 PM ^
My dude. Go be a millionaire.
If you're projected into the first round of the draft...you go pro. It's not even a choice at that point.
This guy doesn't have anything else to prove. He's great, and an extra year of college isn't going to make him greater.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:03 PM ^
I don't know what the injury insurance situation is for a player like this, if it's an option he should take it.
But if he wants to play out his full college career I think that's kinda cool. In all likelihood the big money will still be waiting for him next year.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:00 PM ^
If he was my kid I'd be pushing him to get to the NFL and not do another year in slaphappy valley. He may change his mind after the bowl game.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:05 PM ^
Don't recall ever hearing his name called
November 28th, 2022 at 6:11 PM ^
Would he start at UofM?
November 28th, 2022 at 7:05 PM ^
Yes, he's pretty good.
November 28th, 2022 at 6:33 PM ^
For his own sake I hope he reconsiders and enters the draft healthy for big money
November 28th, 2022 at 7:00 PM ^
I'm shocked a projected top 10 pick, #1 OT would go back to college. I really don't get that decision, but good for PSU. PSU can be scary next year, with all the talent they have and have coming in.
November 28th, 2022 at 7:28 PM ^
Not a smart decision by him, especially since PSU will again lose to M and OSU. Drew Allar may have a great arm, but he plays like a fucking statue. He’s totally immobile. That style doesn’t fly anymore.