NFL Draft: Aaron Rodgers welcomes Penn State football star to New York Jets

Originally posted on Basic Blues Nation | By Matt Thomas | Last updated 4/26/24

It was a successful opening night of the 2024 NFL Draft for Penn State football, with Olu Fashanu and Chop Robinson coming off the board in the first round. The program’s 41st and 42nd all-time first-round draft picks, Thursday marked the 10th time that multiple Nittany Lions were selected in the first round of the same draft. While the NFL Draft is always a celebratory occasion, Fashanu received a special message following his selection by the Jets, a congratulatory tweet from the man he will be tasked with protecting in New York: superstar quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers welcomes Penn State football star Olu Fashanu to New York

Selected 11th overall by the New York Jets, Olu Fashanu became the highest NFL Draft pick for Penn State football since Saquon Barkley was taken No. 2 overall in 2018. Fashanu also becomes the Nittany Lions’ highest-selected offensive lineman since Levi Brown in 2007.

It was pure bliss at the Fashanu household after learning the Penn State football star was headed for the Big Apple. Captured by the cameras, the moment received much attention on social media. The moment also caught the eye of Fashanu’s new teammate, Aaron Rodgers, who took to Twitter/X to welcome the Nittany Lion to New York.

Awesome moment ️. Welcome @olu_fashanu ️ # https://t.co/DtufWmSWGE

— Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) April 26, 2024

The program’s 44th consensus All-American, Olu Fashanu became the first Penn State offensive lineman to earn the honor since Jeff Hartings in 1995.

“The New York Jets just drafted a tremendous man and teammate who will be an unbelievable representative of their organization,” Penn State football coach James Franklin said, in part, in a statement Thursday night. “It has been an honor to have Olu and his family a part of our program.”

Chop Robinson is heading to South Beach

Ten picks later, defensive end Chop Robinson came off the board, going 21st overall to the Miami Dolphins. Robinson became the highest defensive selection for Penn State football since Aaron Maybin in 2009.

After transferring to Happy Valley from Maryland before the 2022 season, Chop Robinson became a force in the backfield for the Penn State defense. In two years with the Nittany Lions, Robinson accounted for 41 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.

“We are so proud of Chop for being selected by the Miami Dolphins,” said Franklin of Robinson, who was a second-team All-American in 2023. “Chop will be an explosive, disruptive pass rusher and run stopper in the NFL. He was determined and committed to taking his game to the next level the moment he stepped on campus.”

The 2024 NFL Draft continues Friday with the second and third rounds beginning at 7 p.m.

This article first appeared on Basic Blues Nation and was syndicated with permission.

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