Ohio State's Chris Olave talks NFL Draft process, why he loves playing against the best
Chris Olave enjoyed one of the best careers for a receiver in B1G history. He left Ohio State as the all-time leader in touchdown receptions and is a projected first-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
With the big night just a few days away, Olave joined the Jim Rome Show to discuss the draft process and his greatest strength that he’ll bring to the NFL.
“It’s been a long process but it’s a dream come true,” Olave said.
Olave closed out his career at Ohio State with 175 catches for 2,702 yards and 35 touchdowns over 4 years. But it wasn’t the numbers that necessarily stood out throughout his career. It was his ability to break off from defenders and give his quarterbacks — Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields and CJ Stroud — a wide-open target.
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Route-running was a focal point for Olave during his time in Columbus. It’s something he takes a lot of pride in doing successfully.
“I feel like I want to be specialized in route-running,” Olave said. “I worked really hard on it. I watched a lot of film on it.”
Many times throughout his tremendous career with the Buckeyes, Olave would see an opponent’s top defensive back. Frequently, the Ohio State receiver found a way to create space and embarrass opposing secondary units.
Seeing a team’s top defensive backs was something that fueled Olave’s motivation.
“That’s just who I am. I’m a competitor. When the best players line up against me, that’s what I want,” he said. “That’s how you rise to the occasion. That’s a lot of fun for me, going against the best.”
Olave is one of two Ohio State receivers projected to be a first-round pick Thursday night. Running mate Garrett Wilson is also likely to be a Day 1 selection.
Draft coverage begins on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET with the broadcast airing on ESPN.