Olu Fashanu is a fast-rising American-Nigerian talent in American college football. Standing at 6-6 and weighing 312 pounds, Fashanu has rapidly gained attention as an exceptional offensive tackle. Fashanu was a standout player from his high school days and his dedication has led him to Penn State University, an institution that proved vital to his successful journey into the National Football League, popularly known as the NFL.
Therefore, this is a biography of the youngster who has earned the respect and admiration of teammates, classmates and fans for his exceptional skills.
Olu Fashanu biography
Olumuyiwa Anthony Fashanu was born on December 9, 2002, in Waldorf, Maryland, United States of America. He attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. before proceeding to Penn State University to play college football.
Olu Fashanu career
Fashanu’s journey in American football began when he was at Gonzaga. His outstanding performances caught the eyes of college recruiters, including Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Michigan State, Oklahoma and Penn State, where he got scholarship offers.
Ultimately, he chose Penn State. He admitted that he had a close relationship with some of the players who had already committed to the college.
“I got the opportunity to have lunch with Anthony Whigan, Juice Scruggs and CJ Thorpe,” Fashanu said in an interview reported by Happy Valley Insider.
“They’re a great group. We talked about a bunch of different things, but what grabbed my attention was how tight everyone is. I think that’s a testament to how close the entire [offensive line] is at Penn State. That speaks for Coach Limegrover and how he just brings everyone together.”
As a result, Fashanu became the sixth offensive lineman to commit, with a four-star rating in Penn State’s Class of 2020. However, his first year at Penn State was a slow one. He did not feature in any game in his first year. The year 2021 marked a turning point for the youngster, as he featured in nine games, gradually solidifying his position within the team.
However, the year 2022 was when Fashanu truly made his mark, playing the pivotal role of left tackle and solidifying his status as a fast-rising star in college football.
Fashanu was selected in the first round with pick number 11 by the New York Jets in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the third offensive tackle to be picked, after Joe Alt and JC Latham respectively.
Olu Fashanu exploits in diaspora
Fashanu joined the expanding list of Nigerians who ply their skills in the widely popular NFL. Although the NFL is not a particularly popular sport in Nigeria, it is America’s football’s elite-level competition where youngsters from all over the country dream of donning one of the 32 NFL teams’ uniforms to play in front of 70,000 or 80,000 adoring fans. They also earn salaries that most can only dream of.
Fashanu’s recent selection into the NFL is an indication that indeed, Naija no dey carry last. Wherever they are, whatever they do, Nigerians are known to stand out and succeed in ventures that many can only dare to dream of. His inclusion can also pave the way for more Nigerians to join the NFL, and make massive impacts.
As the New York Jets prepare for the upcoming season, presence promises to boost their offensive line and contribute to their long-term success.
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Olu Fashanu’s net worth
Information about Fashanu’s estimated net worth is unavailable for now. However, he signed a substantial $20.51 million contract in a four-year deal with the New York Jets. There is also an additional fifth-year team option, which is a standard for NFL first-round picks.
Olu Fashanu’s connection to Nigeria
Fashanu is an American football player of Nigerian descent, specifically from the Yoruba ethnic group.
Olu Fashanu family
Fashanu’s father, Anthony Fashanu, grew up in Nigeria and was an amateur football (soccer) player. His grandfather was a boxer while two of his father’s cousins played professional football (soccer) in Europe.
Fashanu’s mother, Paige Fashanu, was a shot put athlete in secondary school in Nigeria. Anthony’s former teacher in Nigeria, Abimbola Fawehinmi, was Paige’s father. However, the couple did not meet until the 1990s when Anthony reconnected with the Fawehinmi family in Waldorf, in the U.S. state of Maryland, over an Easter dinner. They got married and have two children together – Olu and his elder sister, Angie.
Olu Fashanu age
Fashanu is currently 21 years old and will turn 22 in 2024.
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