NFL CAREER – A talented wide receiver from Southern California, Chris Olave made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2022. In 15 games with nine starts, the former Ohio State standout turned in an impressive first season catching 72 passes for 1,042 yards (14.5 avg.) and four touchdowns, leading the team in both receptions and receiving yards while earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month honors for September. Olave joined Michael Thomas (2016) and Marques Colston (2006) as only the third Saint to cross the 1,000-yard threshold in their rookie seasons. He also joined WR Danny Abramowicz (1967, 50 receptions for 721 yards (14.4 avg.) as only the second Saint to lead the team in receptions, receiving yards and yards per catch in his rookie campaign. Olave will look to build on his early success and continuing developing as one of the NFL's top young receivers.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Signed to a four-year contract, 5/13/22; Selected by the Saints in the first round (11th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft.
HONORS – 2022: PFWA All-Rookie; Sports Info Solutions first-team All-Rookie; NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (September).
2022 – Appeared in 15 games with nine starts, finishing with season totals of a team-high 72 catches for a club-best 1,042 yards (team-best 14.5 avg.) and four touchdowns. Olave joined Michael Thomas (2016) and Marques Colston (2006) as only the third Saint to cross the 1,000-yard threshold in their rookie seasons. He also joined wide receiver Danny Abramowicz (1967, 50 receptions for 721 yards (14.4 avg.) as only the second Saint to lead the team in receptions, receiving yards and yards per catch in his rookie campaign…Olave finished ranked first among rookies in receiving yards per game (69.5) and 50-or-more receiving yard games (12), second among rookies in receiving yards and tied for second in receptions…At Atlanta, Sept. 11, caught three passes for 41 yards, including a critical 2-point conversion, as New Orleans rallied from a 16-point fourth quarter deficit to win 27-26…Vs. Tampa Bay, Sept. 18, Started and recorded five receptions for 80 yards, including a 51-yard reception…At Carolina, Sept. 25, recorded a career-high nine catches for a career-high 147 yards. Named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month for September, as he recorded 17 grabs for 268 yards with a two-point conversion, leading league rookies in receiving yardage…Vs. Minnesota, Oct. 2, started and led team in receiving, with four catches for 67 yards and his first-career touchdown…Vs. Seattle, Oct. 9, started and caught four passes for 54 yards and a TD. Left the game with a concussion suffered on his touchdown catch in third quarter, which caused him to miss one game…At Arizona, Oct. 20, started and finished with seven receptions for 106 yards (15.1 avg.), leading team in receiving yardage and tying for team lead in catches…Vs. Las Vegas, Oct. 30, started and finished with five receptions for 52 yards…Vs. Baltimore, Nov. 7, started and recorded five receptions for 71 yards, seventh consecutive performance with 50+ receiving yards…At Pittsburgh, Nov. 13, recorded three receptions for 40 yards…Vs. Los Angeles Rams, Nov. 20, led Saints with five catches for 102 yards and a career-long 53-yard touchdown reception in third quarter, his third career 100-yard game…At San Francisco, Nov. 27, started and recorded five receptions for 62 yards…At Tampa Bay, Dec. 5 and recorded four receptions for 65 yards…Vs. Atlanta, Dec. 18, started and recorded three receptions for 53 yards…at Cleveland, Dec. 24, inactive (hamstring)…At Philadelphia, 1/1/23, started and recorded four receptions for 42 yards...Vs. Carolina, 1/8/23, recorded five receptions for 60 yards with a 25-yard touchdown.
COLLEGE – One of the most prolific receivers in Buckeyes history, Olave played in 47 games and caught 176 passes for 2,711 yards (15.4 avg.) with 35 touchdowns. Olave's 35 career touchdown receptions set an Ohio State program record and ranks fourth in Big Ten Conference history. His 11 career 100-yard games ranks second in school history…As senior, team captain was named first-team All-Big Ten for second consecutive season, when he started all 12 games. Nominated as a first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association) and named a consensus second-team All-American. Finished with 65 receptions for 936 yards with 13 TDs, tied for sixth nationally…Recorded a career-high 12 receptions for 126 yards against Oregon. Had a career-high 140 receiving yards in a win over seventh-ranked Michigan State. Finished season with five games over 100 yards receiving. Named first-team All-Big Ten in 2020, when he started all seven games in the COVID-19 shortened season. Led the Buckeyes in receiving for the second year in a row, finishing with 50 catches for 729 yards and seven touchdowns. Tied an Ohio State single-season record for average receptions per game (7.1). Caught six passes for 132 yards and two touchdowns in a 49-28 Sugar Bowl win over Clemson to advance the Buckeyes into the National Championship game…Blossomed into one of the top receivers for the Big Ten champions as a sophomore in 2019. Finished with team-highs in receiving yards (849), yards per catch (17.3) and touchdowns (12), playing in all 14 games with five starts and was named third-team All-Big Ten…Played in 14 games as a true freshman in 2018, making a name for himself as a big-play wide receiver and on special teams. After catching only two passes in his first nine games, Olave finished his freshman campaign with ten catches for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the final five games of the season. Highlight of his freshman season was on one of the biggest stages of college football against Michigan, where he caught two touchdowns and blocked a punt in a 62-39 win over fourth-ranked Wolverines. Finished the year with twelve receptions for 197 yards and three touchdowns…Graduated with a bachelor's degree in consumer and family financial services.
PERSONAL: Attended Mission Hills (San Marcos, Calif.), HS, where he enjoyed a monster senior campaign, catching 93 passes for 1,764 yards (18.9 avg.) and 26 TDs…Olave's 1,764 receiving yards set a San Diego Section record…Sat out his junior season after transferring to Mission Hills from Eastlake (Chula Vista, Calif.) HS...Also played basketball and ran track in high school…Ran a 10.8 100-meter dash and long jumped 23 feet, six inches. Partnered with the local Boys and Girls Club for a Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on the Westbank and a Christmas party in Slidell…For the league's "My Cause, My Cleats" promotion, wore specially designed cleats to support Son of a Saint.
