Fashanu Named Outland Trophy National Player of the Week

Outland Trophy recognizes the best interior lineman in college football

Once again, Penn State shows why its the best in the college football spectrum as offensive tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu has been named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week. On Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of America announced that Fashanu is the best interior lineman in college football.

The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award, celebrating 78 years since its founding. The award is given annually to the best interior lineman in college football.

Fashanu was named an Associated Press, Sporting News, and PFF preseason first-team All-American. He earned a spot on the William V. Campbell Trophy, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy, and Reese's Senior Bowl watch lists.

Has also started all four games at left tackle, owns a 91.0 pass-blocking grade according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), and has allowed one pressure on 120 pass-protection snaps. He was named a team captain after spring practice.

The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on ESPN on Dec. 7 or 8. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner, sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 11, 2024.

The Nittany Lions' history with the Outland Trophy has two winners, and both were tackles. Defensive tackle Mike Reid won in 1969, along with tackle Steve DeLong from the two-way era of 1964. Defensive tackle John Henderson was a finalist in 2001. The last offensive lineman to earn FWAA All-America honors was center A.Q. Shipley in 2008.