Latest news with #Olu Fashanu
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Penn State O-Line holds keys to success
One thing about James Franklin is that he will never stop emphasizing the trenches. At Big Ten Media Day, while a lot of coaches were talking flashy transfers and NIL deals, Franklin stayed true to what's built Penn State's identity the last few years with the offensive line. Even with Olu Fashanu off to the NFL in 2024 and some big names gone, Franklin's message was clear that this 2025 team is still going to live and die up front. He didn't sugarcoat it. He knows it's a new-look group, but he believes it still has the toughness, depth, and accountability to win at the highest level Penn State has reached a point where the O-line room is not just five guys, Franklin said. That's a far cry from where Penn State was just a few years ago. Back then, if one guy went down, the whole unit took a hit. Now Franklin says they can plug and play without a major drop-off. And that matters in a loaded Big Ten where guys in the trenches get banged up fast He also talked about how this group is handling the leadership role. It's now on guys like Vega Ioane and a few younger faces to step up, not just with their play but in the locker room. Franklin made it known that this isn't a rebuild. It's a reload He stressed the O-line's role in unlocking everything else, protecting Drew Allar, giving Kaytron Allen space, and setting the tone for a physical football team You can't have the type of offense we want if the O-line isn't right Franklin said. That's where it all starts. It's not just about blocking either. Franklin wants this group to be nasty, vocal, and physical from the first snap to the last. He called out their ability to set a standard that bleeds into the rest of the team. That mentality that edge is something Franklin's proud of. It's taken years to build and he's not letting it slip now Even with new faces stepping in Penn State's identity in 2025 is staying the same. Big, tough, and dominant at the line of scrimmage. Because for Franklin it's never been about gimmicks or hype. It's about winning the battle up front. And if this O-line holds it down like he believes they can the Nittany Lions will be in position to make serious noise this fall. This article originally appeared on Nittany Lions Wire: Penn State's offensive line poised for greatness
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets sign OL Liam Fornadel, waive OL Gus Hartwig
The Jets tweaked their offensive line group on Tuesday. They announced that they have signed Liam Fornadel. They waived Gus Hartwig with an injury designation after he was hurt in a recent practice. Fornadel spent time on the Patriots practice squad last year and has also done stints in the CFL and UFL after leaving James Madison. He started games at both left and right tackle while in college. The Jets are set to start 2024 first-round pick Olu Fashanu at left tackle and 2025 first-rounder Armand Membou at right tackle. Chuks Okorafor and Carter Warren are on the next rungs of the depth chart. Hartwig signed with the Jets after going undrafted out of Purdue this year. He was a multi-year starter at center for the Boilermakers.
