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Ohio State Football: Chris Olave expected to enter 2021 NFL Draft after season

By Cory Kinnan

Oct 31, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) gestures following a first down during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Chris Olave (2) gestures following a first down during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chris Olave
2021 NFL Draft prospect Chris Olave. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Is Chris Olave NFL bound at the season’s end?

The Ohio State Buckeyes are currently ranked as the number three team in the country, much to do with their offensive success. While they have a top-two quarterback in this 2021 NFL Draft class in Justin Fields, wide receiver Chris Olave has been a key success for the Buckeyes as well this season.

After three seniors graduated in Binjamin Victor, Austin Mack, and K.J. Hill, Olave has taken over as the top receiver at Ohio State. He and Garrett Wilson (who is just a sophomore) have been the favorite targets of Fields as he is in the midst of another Heisman-worthy season with the Buckeyes.

Now five games into the 2020 season, the rumblings have begun that Olave may be leaning towards entering his name into the 2021 NFL Draft. In fact, according to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline has reported that Olave may already have an agent lined up.

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"“With the incredible talent at the top of next April’s receiver class, Olave is often the forgotten man.  I do believe the junior could slide into the late part of the first frame, and from I’m told, he will make himself available for the 2021 draft.  Since the start of the season, the word is Olave has already settled on representation.”"

What is 2021 NFL Draft outlook of Chris Olave?

So far this season, Olave has racked up 528 yards receiving for five touchdowns on 36 catches. He is coming off of a year with 840 yards and 12 touchdowns on 48 catches for the Buckeyes. Olave is a smooth technician and a fluid athlete. While he is not the most athletic receiver in this class, Olave would be an ideal X receiver in an offense that has a plethora of weapons down the field.

Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network gives his insight into the game of Olave:

"“Olave offers good burst and although his long-speed doesn’t appear as though it will blow anyone out of the water, he has little issue with separation thanks to suddenness in change of direction scenarios. He ran a pretty diverse tree, one filled with hard stops and steep angles. Had little issue snapping off his stem and is pretty effective to pluck the football out of the air. Showed surprising scrappiness to elevate in contested situations.”"

At this point, Olave looks like a top-50 lock as the 2021 NFL Draft approaches, with the ability to even land in the first round this upcoming April. Some team fits include the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Indianapolis Colts.

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As the Buckeyes continue towards their path back to the College Football Playoffs and beyond, look for the 6-foot-1 and 188 pound Olave to play a key role in their offense moving forward. Just how high can he fly? That has yet to be determined.

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