Praise Olatoke Bio
Praise Olatoke (born June 23, 2000) is a Nigerian-Scottish professional American football wide receiver and former sprinter. Recognized for his athletic versatility, he transitioned from a successful track and field career to football, joining the National Football League through the International Player Pathway program. Olatoke is currently a member of the Carolina Panthers organization and continues to develop as a professional pass catcher in the United States.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing approximately 196 pounds, Olatoke combines the speed he honed as a sprinter with the frame needed to compete at the wide receiver position. He holds dual Nigerian and Scottish heritage and has built his athletic career across three countries, representing Scotland and Great Britain in junior international competition before pursuing football in North America.
Early Life and Background
Praise Olatoke was born on June 23, 2000, in Lagos, Nigeria. When he was five years old, his family relocated to Glasgow, Scotland, where he spent the remainder of his childhood. Growing up in Scotland, Olatoke explored several sports, including rugby and soccer, but quickly discovered that sprinting was his strongest discipline.
He attended St Columba’s School in Kilmacolm, where he continued to play rugby and run track. His performances in school competitions were strong enough to attract attention from universities abroad, and he ultimately received an athletic scholarship to Trinity Western University in Canada. The combination of his family background, his early exposure to a variety of sports, and his dedication to sprinting laid the foundation for a serious athletic career.
Path to American Football
At Trinity Western University, Olatoke emerged as one of the top young sprinters in Canadian university athletics. In 2019, he was named the Scottish U20 Athlete of the Year and represented Great Britain at the 2019 European Athletics U20 Championships in the 200 metres. At Trinity Western, he set school records in both the 60 metres and the 300 metres and earned a place on the Scottish national track team.
In 2021, Olatoke transferred to Ohio State University, where he spent two seasons on the school’s track team. He won first-team All-Big Ten honors in outdoor track in 2022 and ran 10.27 seconds in the 100 metres at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships. He also helped the Ohio State 4 × 100 metres relay team win a Big Ten title. After exhausting his remaining track eligibility, Olatoke joined the Ohio State Buckeyes club football team in the fall of 2022 as a wide receiver. With limited prior knowledge of the game, he learned the sport quickly, finishing the season with seven receptions for 231 yards and four touchdowns, including a 65-yard touchdown catch in only his second game.
Praise Olatoke Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Olatoke’s transition to American football began in earnest during the 2022 season with the Ohio State Buckeyes club football team. Despite having little prior experience with the sport, his sprinting background allowed him to develop into a vertical receiving threat. Teammates helped him learn the basics of wearing equipment and understanding the playbook, and he impressed coaches with his rapid improvement after a slow first outing.
After completing his degree in sports business from Ohio State in December 2022, Olatoke considered enrolling in graduate school to try out for the Ohio State varsity football team but ultimately decided against it. He took a job at a gym and continued training while exploring opportunities to play professional football. In 2023, he reached out to the NFL Academy in Great Britain and several current players in hopes of earning a spot in the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program.
Professional Breakthrough (2024–Present)
Olatoke earned a tryout with the International Player Pathway Program in August 2023 and made the final roster, spending ten weeks training at IMG Academy in Florida. He attended the IMG pro day in March 2024, where he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash. In May 2024, he received an invitation to the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookie minicamp but was not signed.
On June 14, 2024, Praise Olatoke signed with the Los Angeles Chargers after a successful tryout. He was waived by the Chargers on August 12, 2024, during final roster cuts. On September 2, 2024, he was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad, where he has continued to develop within the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Olatoke’s greatest strength as a wide receiver is his elite speed, developed through years of competitive sprinting at the international level. His track background gives him a strong vertical threat profile, and his experience in high-level athletics has helped him adapt to the physical demands of professional football. His continued development within the Carolina Panthers organization allows him to refine his route running and technical skills.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Olatoke’s athletic journey came at the IMG pro day in March 2024, when he recorded a 4.36-second 40-yard dash, showcasing the speed that had defined his track career. His signing with the Los Angeles Chargers in June 2024 represented a significant milestone as he became one of the few athletes to transition directly from international sprinting to the NFL.
Praise Olatoke Career Wins
Praise Olatoke’s competitive achievements span both track and field and American football. As a sprinter, he earned conference recognition and international selection, while his football career is still in its early stages, with his current role on the Carolina Panthers practice squad representing his latest professional opportunity.
Track and Field Highlights
Olatoke was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in outdoor track in 2022 and helped the Ohio State 4 × 100 metres relay team win a Big Ten title that same year. He was also named the Scottish U20 Athlete of the Year in 2019, reflecting his status as one of Scotland’s top young sprinters during that period.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time at Trinity Western University, Olatoke set school records in both the 60 metres and the 300 metres. In his first year of club football at Ohio State, he finished the season with seven receptions for 231 yards and four touchdowns, a strong start for a newcomer to the sport.
Praise Olatoke Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Praise Olatoke was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to Glasgow, Scotland, with his family when he was five years old. His early upbringing in both Nigeria and Scotland contributed to his dual Nigerian-Scottish identity and exposed him to a variety of sports from a young age.
Personal Life
Olatoke currently resides in Glasgow, Scotland, according to available records. He graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in sports business in December 2022. Details about his personal relationships, marital status, and family life are not publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Praise Olatoke remains part of the Carolina Panthers organization after joining the practice squad in September 2024. His development within the team’s wide receiver room will be closely watched as he continues to transition from sprinter to professional football player. With his rare combination of international track experience and NFL-level training, Olatoke represents a unique developmental prospect for the Panthers.
Throughout the 2024 season and into 2025, Olatoke has focused on building the technical skills required of an NFL wide receiver, including route running, blocking, and playbook familiarity. His progress within the Panthers’ system will determine his opportunities to contribute to the active roster in the coming season.
Looking ahead, Olatoke’s story remains one of the more compelling examples of the International Player Pathway Program’s potential impact. His combination of verified speed, international athletic credentials, and professional football experience positions him as a prospect to watch throughout the 2025 season and beyond.