Chris Olave Bio
Christian Josiah Olave is an American professional football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 27, 2000, in San Ysidro, California, Olave rose to national attention at Ohio State University, where he set the program’s all-time record for career touchdown receptions with 35. The New Orleans Saints selected him in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft.
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 187 pounds, Olave has built a reputation as a precise route-runner with reliable hands. In his first two professional seasons, he produced back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving campaigns and was recognized on the 2022 PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Early Life and Background
Chris Olave was born in San Ysidro, California, a border community in the southern part of San Diego County. He is of Cuban descent on his father’s side and African-American on his mother’s side. Growing up in this culturally rich area shaped his early exposure to sports and competition.
He played football at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista for two seasons before transferring to Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, California. Because of California Interscholastic Federation transfer rules, Olave had to sit out his junior year. During his senior season, he caught 93 passes for 1,764 yards and 26 touchdowns, drawing nationwide recruiting attention. He also competed on his school’s basketball and track teams, which helped develop his speed and athleticism.
After his senior year, Olave committed to Ohio State University in January 2018, choosing the Buckeyes over several other major college football programs.
Path to American Football
Olave’s path to professional football began in Southern California, where his senior numbers made him one of the most productive receivers in the country. His combination of size, straight-line speed, and polished route-running convinced Ohio State’s coaching staff that he was ready for the Big Ten stage.
He arrived in Columbus in 2018 and contributed immediately as a freshman, recording 12 catches for 197 yards and three touchdowns while playing on both offense and special teams. His breakout moment came against rival Michigan, when he caught two touchdowns and blocked a punt in a 62-39 Ohio State win. The following week, he caught five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown against Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game.
By his sophomore season, Olave had become a featured part of the Ohio State offense. He posted three games with two receiving touchdowns and finished 2019 with 48 receptions for 840 yards and 12 scores, earning Third-team All-Big Ten honors.
Chris Olave Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Olave spent his first three seasons at Ohio State refining his role within one of college football’s most explosive offenses. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, he played in seven games, scored multiple receiving touchdowns in three contests, and cleared the 100-yard receiving mark in five outings.
His consistent production earned him First-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2020, the same year he helped Ohio State reach the College Football Playoff. Coaches praised his preparation, route precision, and ability to separate against press coverage.
Ohio State Breakthrough (2021)
The 2021 season marked Olave’s most complete year as a collegian. He posted four games with multiple receiving touchdowns and five 100-yard receiving performances, finishing with 65 receptions for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 13 receiving touchdowns led the Big Ten that season.
He repeated as a First-team All-Big Ten selection, cementing his status as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2022 NFL draft class. Following the season, Olave announced he would opt out of the 2022 Rose Bowl in order to prepare for the next level.
New Orleans Saints Era (2022-Present)
The New Orleans Saints selected Olave 11th overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. He made an immediate impact, opening his rookie year with three receptions for 41 yards and a two-point conversion in a Week 1 win over the Atlanta Falcons. By Week 4, he had caught his first professional touchdown, a four-yard pass from quarterback Andy Dalton against the Minnesota Vikings.
Olave finished his rookie campaign with 72 receptions for 1,042 receiving yards and four touchdowns, earning a spot on the 2022 PFWA All-Rookie Team. In his second season, he elevated his production further, hauling in 87 passes for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns, highlighted by an eight-catch, 112-yard performance against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1 of 2023.
The 2024 season proved difficult. Olave was placed on the Active/Non-football injury or illness list in July 2024 and missed time with multiple concussions, ultimately appearing in a limited number of games. He finished the year with 32 receptions for 400 yards and one touchdown, which came in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2025, the Saints exercised the fifth-year option on Olave’s rookie contract.
Driving Style and Strengths
Olave is widely regarded as one of the smoothest route-runners in the NFL. He excels at creating separation with sharp cuts, sells double moves effectively, and tracks the deep ball with strong hands. His track background gives him the speed to threaten every level of the field, while his calm demeanor in the Saints’ offensive structure has made him a trusted target for multiple quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable moments are his two-touchdown performance against Michigan in 2018, his 13-touchdown senior season at Ohio State, and his first NFL touchdown reception against the Vikings. He also became the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in career touchdown receptions with 35, a record that still stands.
Chris Olave Career Wins
Chris Olave has steadily built a résumé of standout performances since high school. Across his time at Mission Hills High School, Ohio State, and the New Orleans Saints, he has accumulated team records, conference honors, and reliable receiving production at every level.
Ohio State Highlights
During his four seasons with the Buckeyes, Olave caught 181 passes for 3,029 receiving yards and 35 receiving touchdowns. His senior statistical line and his record-setting career touchdown total cemented his place among the program’s all-time greats. He finished as a two-time First-team All-Big Ten selection and one-time Third-team All-Big Ten honoree.
Other Wins and Performances
At Mission Hills High School, Olave recorded 93 receptions for 1,764 yards and 26 touchdowns in his senior season, a campaign that earned him statewide recognition and set the stage for his Ohio State commitment.
Chris Olave Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Olave comes from a multicultural background, with Cuban heritage from his father’s side and African-American roots from his mother’s side. He grew up in the San Ysidro area of Southern California, where his family supported his early athletic development across football, basketball, and track.
Personal Life
In October 2023, Olave was arrested in Kenner, Louisiana, on suspicion of reckless operation of a motor vehicle. He has otherwise kept his personal life largely out of the public eye and is known to focus on his recovery, training, and team commitments.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a fresh chapter for Chris Olave. The New Orleans Saints exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, signaling their continued commitment to him as a central piece of the offense. After a 2024 campaign limited by injury, Olave entered training camp focused on health and consistency.
Through the early weeks of the season, Olave remained a featured part of the Saints’ passing attack. In Week 4 against the Buffalo Bills, he was involved in a trick-play attempt, a Philly Special-style throw to quarterback Spencer Rattler, that resulted in an interception by Cole Bishop. Despite the unusual moment, his role in the offensive game plan remained intact.
Looking ahead, Olave’s outlook hinges on staying available and reestablishing his 1,000-yard form from 2022 and 2023. With the Saints investing in his long-term future, his 2025 performance is expected to be a defining measure of his trajectory as a top-tier NFL wide receiver.