Learning from LT Tyron Smith and RT Morgan Moses since he was drafted in April, Jets rookie T Olu Fashanu's most impactful lesson from the veterans hasn't been something on the field. It's been their preparation.
"It's a lot different than how I prepared in college," he said. "Just looking at how they approach everything, whether it's meetings, practice, walk-throughs, gameday itself. It's completely different to how I would [my final] year at Penn State. Having those two guys in the room, having the opportunity to ask them questions, ask them tips and all that, it's been everything for me.
"Talking to other rookie tackles in the in the league, a couple older tackles in the league and talking to them about their experience, they didn't have those older guys in the room to lead them in the right path in terms of on and off the field and how it affected their play. It makes me a lot more lucky and a lot more blessed that I have guys like Morgan and Tyron in the room."
Some of the linemen Fashanu has talked with incudes former college rivals -- Cardinals LT Paris Johnson, selected No. 6 overall in 2023 out of Ohio State, and Titans LG Peter Skoronski, selected No. 11 overall in '23 out of Northwestern.
Fashanu spoke with Johnson after the Jets' Week 10 game at Arizona where the former Penn State player saw his first action at left tackle, the spot he played his entire college career for the Nittany Lions.
"I feel like every rookie, nonetheless a rookie picked in the first round, has that expectation that they're going to come in and start, but I think I was in a really unique situation where I come in and there's already two bookend tackles in the room," he said. "For me, I just understood that it was all about taking advantage of that type of experience."
Fashanu's first game action came at right tackle, a position he learned in training camp. Since taking over for Smith, who was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury at the end of November, Fashanu has quickly improved back at LT.
He started his first game at LT in Week 11 against the Colts and was not pleased with his performance as he allowed 3 pressures and 1 sack, according to Pro Football Focus. In the Green & White's following game, Week 12 vs. Seattle, Fashanu did not allow any pressures, sacks, QB hits or hurries. He said the biggest difference over the last month has been his confidence.
"I can't point to one specific moment," Fashanu said. "I think it was just gradual. I think whenever I really stepped in for Tyron and getting those reps throughout the week and in the games, as the week went by, I felt more comfortable. And by feeling more comfortable, I got a lot more confident.
"Just going out there knowing that you know the guy right next to me, [LG] John Simpson, he's always going to have my back no matter what. And you know when you have that feeling, it really lets you have that notion where you can go out and just play free."
With four games remaining in his rookie season, the No. 11 overall pick doesn't have specific goals as the team's starting tackle protecting QB Aaron Rodgers' blindside.
"For me, it's all about just improving week by week," he said. "I think just watching the film, looking at different things I need to work on and really capitalizing on it throughout the week, during practice and walk-throughs, I think that's what's really going to help me to finish out the season as strong as I can."
