Former Ohio State WR Chris Olave gets rookie camp jersey number for New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave was the No. 11 pick by the New Orleans Saints in the 2022 NFL Draft and the second Ohio State player off the board behind fellow wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who went the pick before him. But when a number teams of announced what numbers their rookies would wear last week, Olave was not among the Buckeyes with a new digit on his back.
That changed on Thursday, however. The Saints announced that Olave will wear No. 12 to begin his NFL career, but that is for rookie camp and this number could change. During his four seasons with the Scarlet and Gray, Olave originally wore No. 17 before switching to No. 2.
Olave was a three-star prospect coming out of San Marcos, California, and was the 68th ranked receiver and the 399th overall player in the 2018 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite. Despite not being one of Ohio State’s highest-rated prospects, Olave quickly showed his ability with the Buckeyes.
As a freshman, Olave began the year third on the depth chart behind fellow receivers Johnnie Dixon and Terry McLaurin but got an opportunity for a bigger role after an injury to Austin Mack. Thanks largely to the second half of the season, Olave finished 2018 strong with 12 receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns, including two scores in the rivalry game against Michigan and another in the Big Ten Championship Game against Northwestern.
During his sophomore season in 2019, Olave became a starter for the Scarlet and Gray and quickly established himself as a favorite target for quarterback Justin Fields. Olave recorded 849 receiving yards and 12 receiving touchdowns, both the best on the team. His 49 catches were second behind senior slot receiver K.J. Hill, registering at least one reception in 13 of Ohio State’s 14 games. Olave was named third-team All-Big Ten by both the coaches and the media following the season.
In the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Olave was again the top target for Fields, recording 50 receptions for 729 yards and seven touchdowns in seven games, leading the team in all three categories and helping the Buckeyes reach the national championship game. After the season, Olave was named first-team All-Big Ten by the conference’s coaches.
Although many believed at the time that Olave was going to declare for the 2021 NFL Draft, the receiver elected to return for his senior year, feeling he had more to accomplish. Playing with redshirt freshman C.J. Stroud at quarterback, Olave again proved to be one of the best wideouts in college football, hauling in 65 receptions for 936 yards and a team-best 13 touchdowns. Olave was once again named to the Big Ten all-first team following his final season.
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In his four years with the Scarlet and Gray, Olave managed 175 catches for 2,702 yards and 35 touchdowns. He ranks first all-time in program history in touchdown receptions, third in catches and fifth in receiving yards.
Former Ohio State players’ new NFL numbers
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