Around the time this story was finally published there were at least five more like it available on the Google News tab. All of them touting something about Penn State sophomore left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu becoming a top NFL prospect.
It’s an incredible thing really, the quickness that a player can go from being unknown to being a household name. It’s even more impressive when it happens along the offensive line, the sort of place where you only tend to think about when things go poorly. The work of an offensive lineman is hard. It’s signing up to have mangled hands, tired joints and back problems at a young age. It is not a life of glamour, it isn’t sexy, it isn’t flashy, but it sure is important.
“To be honest with you, I don’t think I’ve got a question about Olu all year long until he started to be talked about as a first-round draft choice,” Penn State coach James Franklin said on Tuesday. “Why? He’s just doing this job. Most people only notice offensive linemen when they’re not doing their job. Now everybody wants to talk about him. He’s an awesome kid. Out of Gonzaga High School. Went to school in D.C. That program did a phenomenal job with him, the parents did a phenomenal job raising him. Just a really good example, model of doing your job at high level consistently. And people notice that. I don’t care and industry you’re in.”
For the likes fo Fashanu it’s a moment that can be terribly overwhelming. Imagine going from a being just a kid – he’s 19 – to a potential NFL star over the course of a few months. You work hard, you play hard and then suddenly the phone is ringing off the hook. Everyone wants a piece of the pie and a piece of the future that could be.
Because that’s the reality Fashanu faces right now, that he could find himself walking across the stage at the next NFL Draft. If you thought Ohio State’s pass rush was tough, wait until your life changes for good.
“I had a meeting with mom, dad and Olu on Sunday, which was a very productive meeting. They’re awesome people,” Franklin added. “I was able to get their perspective on things, show them how we can be a resource in terms of getting them a lot of information so they can make an educated decision. Just being as supportive as we possibly can be. And they’re awesome people. Got a very close relationship with them.
“They seem to be handling it well, but it’s a lot. The way the rules have changed has made it worse. I know in some ways I think it is better, but in some ways — like in the past you couldn’t talk to an agent. The majority of the agents that followed the rules would follow them, and there would be a few that wouldn’t obviously. Right now their phone is ringing off the hook constantly. I think sometimes those rules were good because it created a barrier for them a little bit. It’s a lot, but I think they seem to be asking all the right questions and for the most part handling it well.”
For now Fashanu will stick to what has got him this far, consistent and physical play. Sometimes football doesn’t have to be complicated, you know, just be good at everything every snap. No big deal. But for Fashanu the grind has worked in his favor, he finds himself slotted as a first or second round pick on nearly every draft board. That doesn’t mean he will go to the NFL, that said it would be hard to blame him if he did. This is what all the hard work has been about after all.
And the number of stories about him will only grow from there.
