New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh expressed his enthusiasm for Olu Fashanu, the team’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, following the rookie’s impressive performances in training camp.
“He’s very strong in his lower half. He is a sponge, an absolute sponge, a technician in every sense of the word. Very smart. Very willing,” Saleh remarked Saturday, as reported by Peter Botte of the New York Post. “(We) definitely did not miss on that kid.”
Fashanu was selected No. 11 overall out of Penn State. During his college career, he started 20 games at left tackle from 2022 to 2023 and did not allow a sack on 733 pass-block snaps. He also earned All-Big Ten honors and was named the conference’s Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2023.
At 21 years old, Fashanu has primarily taken his reps with the Jets’ second team at left tackle, working behind veteran Tyron Smith. Smith, 33, along with offseason addition Morgan Moses, are projected to be New York’s starting offensive tackles this season. Saleh emphasized the importance of Fashanu learning from the veterans during his rookie year.
“That’d be the goal,” Saleh stated. “Olu, he’s another guy I’m really looking forward to seeing in (games), going against other players.”
Fashanu acknowledged the benefits of training alongside Moses and Smith. “Just having that opportunity and getting that insight and perspective from (Smith) has been nice,” he said. “I think about it as I have a Hall of Fame left tackle in my room and another veteran tackle in my room.”
“They’re both great guys who are willing to help me develop in any way possible, so I just try to think about it like that. … As a rookie, that’s what you want, having older guys who want to help you get better.”
The Jets have struggled with their offensive line in recent years, finishing outside the top 18 in sacks allowed per game for each of the last five seasons.
