NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Dec. 27—ATLANTA — Olu Fashanu and Caedan Wallace have declared for the NFL draft and will not return to Penn State, leaving two openings at offensive tackle in 2024.
Former Downingtown West standout Drew Shelton, a sophomore, and ex-Wyomissing star J’ven Williams, a freshman, are the leading candidates to replace them.
“They can be amazing,” Wallace said Wednesday. “They have a really, really high ceiling.”
The 6-5, 306-pound Shelton and the 6-5, 303-pound Williams likely will see action when the 10th-ranked Nittany Lions (10-2) meet 11th-ranked Ole Miss (10-2) in the Peach Bowl Saturday at noon (TV-ESPN) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Fashanu and Wallace probably will get a limited number of snaps, if any. That puts more onus on Shelton and Williams, who were both highly rated prospects coming out of high school.
Shelton started the final five games last season after Fashanu was injured and did an admirable job. He’s seen action in every game this season.
“Drew’s great,” Fashanu said. “For someone to be so young but to be so poised, especially as an offensive lineman in a Power Five conference, it’s awesome.”
Williams, who was rated the No. 1 prospect in Pennsylvania last year, has played in three games this season. He has impressed offensive line coach Phil Trautwein and teammates with his quickness.
“J’ven’s a really athletic kid,” Wallace said. “The way he moves naturally is really awesome already. He has a really good mindset about the game. He’s not a quitter. He’s not going to give up.
“He’s working. He has tough reps (in practice). He goes against really good guys like (defensive ends) Chop (Robinson), Adisa (Isaac) and Dani (Dennis-Sutton). He goes after it every day.”
Fashanu also praised Williams for the way he carries himself.
“His mindset is what’s going to set him apart from the competition,” Fashanu said. “He’s…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-states-caedan-wallace-describes-045000017.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2023-12-28 04:50:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
