New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers got some additional protection in the 2024 NFL draft.
He made an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday, April 25 to react to the Jets’ selection of Penn State OL Olu Fashanu with the No. 10 overall pick.
“I know they [the Jets’ front office] really loved Olu. I loved what Joe [Douglas] did, moving back and getting a couple more picks,” Rodgers explained. “He didn’t give up a sack I don’t think his entire college career which is saying a lot.”
Rodgers added that Olu “is a mauler and he had an incredible career at Penn State.”
.@AaronRodgers12 is a massive fan of new #Jets draft pick @olu_fashanu:
‘I know they really loved Olu,’ Rodgers revealed. ‘He didn’t give up a sack in his entire college career which is saying a lot.’
‘Olu is a mauler. He had an incredible career at @PennStateFball.’
Said he…
Fashanu Will Get a Chance to Learn and Develop Further
“He’s [Fashanu] not going to need to jump in right away [into the starting lineup] at tackle for sure. We’ll see if we work him in at guard but I think he is going to have a long career in the league. Much longer than I’m going to be in New Jersey so excited for him and excited to welcome him to the team. It’s a great O-Line room. Very well coached. A lot of great personalities we added,” Rodgers said.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic had Fashanu listed as his No. 2 offensive tackle on his big board. At Penn State, he predominantly played left tackle and that’s where the Jets plan on keeping him.
However, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic asked Fashanu after he was drafted by the Jets if he’s capable of flipping over to the right side if asked.
“Yeah most definitely. That was something that was a big emphasis of mine this [past] season. During practice just taking a lot of reps at right tackle. Then during my [NFL] Combine training with Duke Manyweather up in Dallas, Texas I was mainly working [at] right [tackle],” Fashanu explained.
.@ZackBlatt asked new #Jets draft pick @olu_fashanu if he could also play on the right side after predominantly playing left tackle in college:
‘Yeah most definitely’ + said he took a ton of practice reps at RT at @PennStateFball + also said he worked on it for his #NFLCombine…
Jets Hid Interest in Fashanu
Rodgers knew about the Jets’ interest in Fashanu, but the former Penn State star sure didn’t.
He revealed during his media availability after getting drafted that the Jets were lurking in the bushes.
“Yeah I mean they definitely showed interest [but] honestly they did a good job of like disguising it because it didn’t seem like [they] had any more [interest] than any other team showed interest. I didn’t want to say it throughout the process but after taking that 30-visit, after the [NFL] Combine, for me the Jets were the obvious place for me,” Fashanu explained.
.@Olu_fashanu said the #Jets did a great job of hiding their interest in him during the pre-draft process:
‘They did like a good job disguising it because it didn’t seem like [they] had any more interest than any other team.’
Said after his top-30 visit in New York after the…
Fashanu seemed giddy when asked about his new teammate and starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“Yeah, it’s awesome just to have the opportunity to be on the same team as a future Hall of Famer with Aaron Rodgers. Just growing up and watching him all of the great things that he has done throughout his career. To have that opportunity to be on the same team as him. Just asking him any tips, bits, of advice for what made his career so special,” Fashanu said.
New #Jets OL @olu_fashanu said he grew up watching @AaronRodgers12, ‘yeah it’s awesome.’
Olu Fashanu plans on being a sponge & absorbing as much as he can from A-Rod.
Fashanu, 21, is still so young that he has much more room for growth. That should be a scary thought for the rest of the NFL.
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Jets QB Aaron Rodgers Sends Message to Olu Fashanu