Kitan Oladapo Bio
Olakitan “Kitan” Oladapo (born October 10, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at around 216 pounds, he plays the defensive back position with a physical, downhill style. He joined the NFL in 2024 after a standout college career with the Oregon State Beavers.
Born in West Covina, California, and raised in Happy Valley, Oregon, Oladapo developed into a reliable tackler and team leader during his time in the Pac-12 Conference. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, beginning his professional career with one of the league’s most historic franchises.
Early Life and Background
Kitan Oladapo was born on October 10, 2000, in West Covina, California, before his family settled in Happy Valley, Oregon. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest shaped his early athletic development and introduced him to the competitive football culture of the region. He is the son of Akin and Funke Oladapo, who supported his path into the sport.
Oladapo attended Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon, where he played alongside several future college and professional athletes, including Brady Breeze, Blake Brandel, and Cameron Scarlett. During his high school career, he recorded 16 tackles, including one for a loss. Despite his physical tools and on-field production, he was largely overlooked by major college recruiting services.
Path to American Football
Because of his limited recruiting profile, Oladapo chose to walk on at Oregon State rather than accept a scholarship offer elsewhere. The decision required patience and perseverance, as he spent his first year in the program redshirting and learning the defensive system. His early commitment to the Beavers laid the foundation for the production that followed in later seasons.
At Oregon State, Oladapo gradually earned a larger role within the secondary, transitioning from a developmental walk-on into a full-time defensive contributor. His combination of size, speed, and tackling ability caught the attention of the coaching staff, and he became a central figure in the Beavers’ defensive scheme. By his senior season, he was recognized as one of the top safeties in the Pac-12 Conference.
Kitan Oladapo Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Oladapo’s college career began in 2018 when he redshirted and did not see game action. In 2019, he appeared in just one game and finished the season without recorded statistics. The limited playing time tested his resolve, but he remained committed to the Oregon State program.
His breakthrough came during the 2020 season, when he played in six games and tallied 26 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble. The performance marked a clear step forward and signaled his emergence as a defensive contributor for the Beavers.
Oregon State Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Oladapo built on his 2020 momentum with a strong 2021 campaign, recording 69 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and eight pass deflections. He also intercepted a pass off Cooper Legas in the 2021 LA Bowl against Utah State. His steady production helped anchor the Beavers’ secondary.
The 2022 season represented his true breakout year. In Week 2, he posted a then career-best 15 tackles with a sack and a pass deflection, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. He closed the regular season with a career-high 17 tackles in a rivalry upset of ninth-ranked Oregon, securing the same weekly award for the second time. He finished the year with 80 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and six pass deflections, and was named an Associated Press First Team All-Pac-12 selection. He announced his return for 2023, was named to the First Team Preseason All-Pac-12 team, and earned Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition after the 2023 season.
Green Bay Packers Era (2024–Present)
Following his senior season, Oladapo declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and was selected in the fifth round, 169th overall, by the Green Bay Packers. On May 14, 2024, he signed his rookie contract with the organization. He joined a 2024 draft class that also added safeties Javon Bullard and Evan Williams, forming a young group around veteran Xavier McKinney.
Oladapo’s role with the Packers placed him in a defensive back rotation looking to blend youthful talent with experienced leadership. His transition from the Pac-12 to the NFL required adjustments in speed and scheme, but his college tackling volume and coverage instincts gave him a credible foundation. He enters the next phase of his career looking to establish himself as a long-term contributor in Green Bay’s secondary.
Driving Style and Strengths
Oladapo is known for his physical, downhill tackling approach and his willingness to contribute in run support. He reads plays quickly, fills alleys with aggression, and delivers consistent open-field tackles. His coverage skills developed steadily during his college career, allowing him to handle both tight ends and running backs in matchup situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Oladapo’s 17-tackle performance against ninth-ranked Oregon in the 2022 season finale stands out as a career-defining effort. His two Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week awards that same season underscored his consistency. Being drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft marked his transition to the professional ranks.
Kitan Oladapo Career Wins
Oladapo’s career achievements are measured primarily through individual statistical production and conference recognition rather than championship victories. At the high school level, he helped Central Catholic compete against strong regional competition, while at Oregon State he contributed to several key Pac-12 victories, including the rivalry upset of Oregon.
Oregon State Highlights
Oladapo’s most decorated season came in 2022, when he earned Associated Press First Team All-Pac-12 honors after recording 80 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and six pass deflections. His interception in the 2021 LA Bowl and his two Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week awards during the 2022 season also stand among his top on-field accomplishments.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his conference accolades, Oladapo earned Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition for his play during the 2023 season. His selection in the 2024 NFL Draft represents the latest milestone in a steady upward trajectory from walk-on to professional safety.
Kitan Oladapo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kitan Oladapo is the son of Akin and Funke Oladapo, who raised him in the Happy Valley, Oregon, community. The family supported his athletic pursuits and helped guide him through the challenges of being an unrecruited walk-on at Oregon State. His background reflects a blend of Nigerian heritage and American upbringing.
Personal Life
Oladapo maintains strong family ties, with two siblings, including a brother named Kash, who has played as a goalkeeper, and a sister named Anjola. He resides in the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area as a member of the Packers organization and continues to be recognized for his close connection to his family and his Oregon roots.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Kitan Oladapo is positioned to compete for a larger role within the Green Bay Packers’ secondary. The addition of established safety Xavier McKinney and fellow 2024 draftees Javon Bullard and Evan Williams creates a competitive depth chart that should push Oladapo to elevate his performance.
His development throughout the 2024 campaign provided a foundation of NFL game experience, and his tackling reliability remains a defining trait. Continued growth in coverage assignments and situational awareness will be central themes as he fights for expanded defensive snaps.
With Green Bay aiming to build around a young and athletic defensive back group, Oladapo’s blend of size, instincts, and special teams value gives him a clear opportunity to contribute. His 2025 outlook will depend on consistency, health, and the trust of the coaching staff in high-leverage defensive situations.