Name: Chris Olave
Number: 2
Position: WR
Class: Junior
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 188 lbs
Hometown: San Marcos, CA
High School: Mission Hills High School, Kennesaw, GA
2019-2020 Stats:
| GP | Rec | YDs | Avg | TD | Rec YPG | Rush ATT | Rush YDs | Rush TDs | Rush YPA | Total YPG |
| 13 | 48 | 840 | 17.5 | 12 | 64.6 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2.5 | 65 |
Overview:
Olave might not have been the expected heir to Ohio State’s tremendous receiving corps in previous seasons–he certainly didn’t show it for most of his freshman season. However, he had a huge game against Michigan in 2018, and ever since then he has been the go-to guy for the Buckeyes, and for tremendous reason.
Olave’s relationship with quarterback Justin Fields is going to be a huge asset for Ohio State this coming season. Olave’s development into his own player and a very difficult-to-guard receiver will only make him better and better as he continues to grow and develop.
Don’t let the numbers fool you–Olave is the heart and soul of Ohio State’s passing game. The Buckeyes had a very spread out attack, with each of Olave, K.J. Hill, Binjimen Victor, Garrett Wilson, and Austin Mack all pulling in over 300 yards on the season. Ohio State also had a potent rushing attack, led by J.K. Dobbins’ 2,000 yards.
It is noteworthy how rarely the Buckeyes ran from the wide receiver position this past year. Olave had the most carries of any Ohio State receiver, with two. That’s a far cry from what we were used to seeing with guys like Jalin Marshall in the backfield. We’ll see if that changes going forward, though Austin Mack might be the most likely to get more carries.
Of course, the lasting memory of Olave–in both his mind and fans’ minds–is the final offensive play of the Fiesta Bowl. Olave and Fields were not on the same page, and it led to a game-ending interception. Don’t let that sit for too long, though. Olave is too good and too essential to this team to let that define him. He will provide plenty more happy highlights when he next gets back on the field.
Highlights
Want to know what makes Olave so good? Check out his best plays from last season.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASN_02Yk1Do&w=560&h=315]