Ohio State WR Chris Olave Announces Return To OSU

Three years removed from being a late addition to Ohio State’s 2018 recruiting class, wide receiver Chris Olave has announced today that he’ll be spurning the 2021 NFL Draft, where he was projected to be selected somewhere within the first two rounds, and returning to Ohio State for his senior season. Olave announced his decision on his Twitter account on Dec. 18, the final day for eligible players to declare for the draft.

Olave enters his senior campaign with 110 receptions for 1,766 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in 35 games played. He didn’t truly burst onto the scene until the final games of his freshman campaign, which included a two-touchdown performance against Michigan.

Serving as one of Ohio State’s two primary receivers along with sophomore Garrett Wilson in 2020, Olave hauled in a team-high 50 receptions for 729 yards and seven touchdowns in just seven games.

The San Marcos, Calif., native cited a desire to make more memories in Columbus as the reason for his return.

“I’d like to thank God first for this life, without him none of this is possible. Thank you to the trainers, EQ, staff, and Coach Mick for pushing me to levels I never thought I can reach. Thank you to Coach Day for giving a young kid from San Diego, California the opportunity, Coach Hart for developing me and helping me become better on and off the field. Thank you to the fans and Buckeye Nation for the support.

“There are so many great memories but we’re not done yet. I’ll be returning for my senior year at Ohio State.”