Imagine this: You’ve been through the trenches since day 1, with your cleats fueled by raw speed and strength, with Bruce Feldman inducting you into his “Freaks List”—an impressive 4.97 40-yard dash and agility. You and your coach are dreaming the Pro dream—a top 10 draft pick, projected and viewed as one of America’s best offensive tackles. A freak, who bench-pressed 405 pounds, squatted 605, and power-cleaned 350. Yup. That sort of raw power was bound to make heads turn. But a million-dollar deal got turned down, and the reason will shock you.
With the NFL scouts eyeing him, Olu Fashanu was the guy. His zero-sacks-allowed 2022 season, coupled with Offensive Player of the Game, made him the perfect ingredient the pro league wanted on their turf, and the projected money seemed delicious. Penn State HC James Franklin & Co. were pushing hard for the draft well up to the point that he got books prepared for Fashanu’s family to gauge the cash factor. Seems about right? Yeah? But Fashanu’s parents, Paige and Anthony, were still not convinced. And the reason is nothing related to football.
“We gave them the books, and so I was like, they’re going to read this book & be like, I’m going. Like when they see the money he’s projected. They didn’t even open the book; they slipped the books back and said he’s not leaving,” said Offensive lineman coach Phil Trautwein. And Mama Fashanu, the family had their reason, and the reason was legit. “We appreciate your recommendation, but Olu has not graduated. Olu’s got the highest GPA on the team in one of the best business schools in America, & he’s coming back to school.”
Surely, a proud moment when your kid is a prodigy both on and off the field. Olu excelled at the line of scrimmage as the highest-ranked OT in the 2024 draft and also took greater strides in academics. The Campbell Award—awarded to top scholar-athletes—he had stashed in his bag, with a 3.45 grade point average. However, Olu also had a say in the decision. Even before the coaches met the Fashanu family for the NFL talk, the Jets OL had locked in his choice. “He already made up his mind that, Mom-dad, I’m staying. I wanna finish my education. I wanna get my degree,” said Paige. With Coach Franklin backing out with a chuckle, “Yes, ma’am.”
What a story…
After the 2022 @PennStateFball season, @coachjfranklin recommended to Olu Fashanu & his family that they should leave & enter the #NFLDraft.
They were all out at dinner, coach Franklin’s staff had prepared books of info that would explain how much money Fashanu… pic.twitter.com/Tn3My8Eqgs
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 28, 2025
Even though Olu Fashanu had a terrific presence on the O-line, he secured his academic path as well. And honestly, it makes sense. With only 1.6% of college football players going to the NFL, you must make the most out of the opportunities served before you.
Olu Fashanu goes on to become a first-round pick
So, what happened next? Olu Fashanu wrapped up his degree at Penn State. Did he enter the draft the following year? Yup, an 11th overall pick by the New York Jets in the first round. He signed a four-year deal worth $20.51 million. A win-win situation for sure. A first-round NFL Draft pick and a 3.45 academic grade, the Fashanu family is surely proud.
Cherry on top, Olu Fashanu got to play with his dream team in his rookie year. He wanted to play for the Jets “from day one,” following his meeting with coach Robert Saleh & Co. at the NFL Combine. The reason? Aaron Rodgers. “I was going to go really hard and try and learn from whatever team I got drafted by. But now, being on the same team as Aaron Rodgers and feeling like we can really compete to win, I feel like I need to go even harder now.”
In his rookie year, he got major playtime, accompanied by struggles as well. He was expected to sit behind Morgan Moses and Tyron Smith. But both of them sustained injury, which thrust Fashanu onto the front line. Although going into his second season, Rodgers is no longer part of the Jets. He went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The post Penn State Legend’s Mom Turned Down James Franklin’s Million Dollar Plan, Now They’re Reaping Rewards appeared first on EssentiallySports.
