Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu knows a thing or two about a solid defensive line.
After all, he goes against Penn State’s highly regarded front four every day in practice.
It may even be at least a partial reason why there are currently betting odds for Fashanu to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Fashanu said Tuesday in a media availability that among the toughest defensive linemen to work against in training camp were Chop Robinson and Dani Dennis-Sutton.
The saying goes ‘iron sharpens iron.’ That may be a reason why Robinson is also a projected first-round pick in some mock drafts next year.
“Obviously being on the same team, there’s going to be a certain bias there in my own opinion,” Fashanu said Tuesday. “I think our guys have the talent. I don’t think anyone else in the country compares to ours. But again, that’s probably a personal bias.”
Fashanu also pointed out redshirt junior defensive end Zuriah Fisher as someone who he thinks will have a large role this season.
“He’s had a great training camp,” Fashanu said. “I’m really excited for him this year.”
Fashanu also talked back on PSU media day earlier this month about having the best defense in the country. He feels this is true not only from a talent perspective but also with the work they put in over the offseason.
“It’s just a testament to (defensive coordinator) Coach (Manny) Diaz and his work,” he said.
Penn State head coach James Franklin also reiterated those sentiments in his weekly press conference Tuesday. Franklin noted throughout the preseason that there are many positions that he considers three-deep. The defensive line would certainly be one of those positions. He noted Zane Durant, Dvon Ellies, Kaleb Artis, Hakeem Beamon, Jordan van den Berg and Coziah Izzard as players where there’s a lot of confidence.
“That’s six guys there, and there’s others, that there’s confidence in that we are bigger at that position,” Franklin said at his first Tuesday presser of the season. “I think we’re more confident in fundamentals and techniques. I think we have a much better understanding of the defense and how Manny wants it executed and played.”
