Chris Olave Bio
Chris Olave, whose full name is Christian Josiah Olave, is an American professional football wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he holds the school record for most career touchdown receptions with 35. The Saints selected Olave in the first round, 11th overall, of the 2022 NFL draft, and he has since developed into one of the team’s primary receiving threats.
Early Life and Background
Christian Josiah Olave was born on June 27, 2000, in San Ysidro, California. He is of Cuban descent on his father’s side and African-American on his mother’s side. Growing up in Southern California, Olave was introduced to football at a young age and quickly developed into a promising athlete across multiple sports.
Olave first played football at Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, California, where he spent two seasons before transferring to Mission Hills High School in San Marcos, California. Because of California Interscholastic Federation transfer rules, he had to sit out his junior year before returning to competition.
During his senior season at Mission Hills, Olave delivered an outstanding campaign, catching 93 passes for 1,764 yards and 26 touchdowns. He was also a member of the school’s basketball and track teams, demonstrating the speed and athleticism that would later define his professional profile. In January 2018, Olave committed to Ohio State University to continue his football career.
Path to American Football
Olave arrived at Ohio State in 2018 as a freshman and quickly earned a role on both offense and special teams. He finished his debut season with 12 catches for 197 yards and three touchdowns. One of his early highlights came against Michigan, where he caught two touchdowns and blocked a punt in a 62–39 Buckeyes victory, and he added a touchdown against Northwestern in the Big Ten Championship Game.
In the 2019 season, Olave emerged as a consistent scoring threat, recording three games with multiple receiving touchdowns. His best yardage performance came against Rutgers, where he produced four receptions for 139 receiving yards. He closed the year with 48 receptions for 840 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, earning Third-team All-Big Ten honors.
During the 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Olave played in seven games and scored multiple receiving touchdowns in three of them while surpassing 100 receiving yards in five contests. In 2021, he recorded four games with multiple receiving touchdowns and five games over 100 yards, finishing with 65 receptions for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 13 receiving touchdowns led the Big Ten that year. He was named First-team All-Big Ten in both 2020 and 2021. Following the season, Olave opted out of the 2022 Rose Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft.
Chris Olave Career
Early Career (2018–2021 at Ohio State)
Across his four seasons at Ohio State, Olave developed from a special teams contributor into one of the most productive receivers in program history. He scored 35 career receiving touchdowns, setting the Ohio State school record, and earned three All-Big Ten selections. His combination of precise route running, reliable hands, and vertical speed made him a featured option in the Buckeyes’ passing game.
By the time he declared for the draft, Olave was regarded as a polished route technician with the ability to separate against press coverage. He consistently produced against top Big Ten competition, including multi-touchdown performances against rivals such as Michigan and Northwestern, and his 2021 production underscored his readiness for the next level.
NFL Breakthrough with the New Orleans Saints (2022–Present)
The New Orleans Saints selected Olave with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Atlanta Falcons, recording three receptions for 41 yards and a two-point conversion in a 27–26 victory. He later posted nine receptions for 147 yards against the Carolina Panthers and scored his first professional touchdown on a four-yard reception from Andy Dalton against the Minnesota Vikings.
Olave finished his rookie season with 72 receptions for 1,042 receiving yards and four touchdowns, earning a spot on the 2022 PFWA All-Rookie Team. He built on that success in 2023, posting 87 receptions for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns, including an eight-catch, 112-yard performance against the Tennessee Titans in a 16–15 win.
The 2024 season was disrupted by injuries. After being placed on the Active/Non-football injury or illness list in July, Olave was activated before Week 1. He suffered his third career concussion in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a fourth concussion in Week 9 that forced him to miss the remainder of the season. He finished 2024 with 32 receptions for 400 yards and one touchdown.
New Orleans Saints Era (2022–Present)
In 2025, the Saints exercised the fifth-year option on Olave’s contract, signaling their long-term commitment to the receiver. He delivered a career-best campaign, finishing the season with 100 receptions for 1,163 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He was also recognized with Second-team All-Pro honors for 2025, reinforcing his standing among the league’s top pass catchers.
During the 2025 season, Olave was listed at 6 feet 0 inches tall and 187 pounds, with a listed weight of 85 kilograms. His role within the Saints offense continued to expand, and he remained a focal point of the passing attack despite occasional injury setbacks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Olave is widely regarded for his polished route running, dependable hands, and ability to separate against a variety of coverage schemes. His experience in Ohio State’s pro-style offense translated quickly to the NFL, where he has thrived as a precise intermediate and vertical receiver. His knack for finding soft zones and producing after the catch has made him a reliable option for the Saints’ quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Olave’s signature achievements are his Ohio State record of 35 career receiving touchdowns and his 1,042-yard rookie season with the Saints. He has recorded multiple 100-yard receiving games in each of his professional seasons when healthy, and his 2025 Second-team All-Pro selection marked his highest individual league honor to date.
Chris Olave Career Wins
Chris Olave’s career has been defined more by statistical production and individual accolades than by team championships. His primary wins to date include his Ohio State school record for career receiving touchdowns and his consistent production as a featured receiver for the New Orleans Saints.
NFL Highlights
Olave’s NFL resume includes a 2022 PFWA All-Rookie Team selection and a 2025 Second-team All-Pro nod. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in three professional seasons, including a career-best 1,163 yards in 2025, and he has averaged roughly 1,000 yards per season when healthy.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Olave earned First-team All-Big Ten honors in 2020 and 2021, along with a Third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2019. His 13 receiving touchdowns in 2021 led the Big Ten and helped cement his status as a first-round NFL prospect.
Chris Olave Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Chris Olave’s immediate family remain limited. He is of Cuban descent through his father and African-American through his mother, and he was raised in Southern California. His multi-sport athletic upbringing, including basketball and track, played a role in shaping his development as a wide receiver.
Personal Life
Chris Olave has kept much of his personal life private, with no public information about a spouse or children available in verified sources. On October 23, 2023, he was arrested by the Kenner Police Department in Kenner, Louisiana, on suspicion of reckless operation of a motor vehicle, reportedly for driving 70 mph in a 35 mph zone.
2025 Season Performance
Chris Olave’s 2025 season represented his most productive NFL campaign to date. The Saints exercised his fifth-year option ahead of the season, reinforcing his role as a central piece of the offense. He delivered career highs across the major receiving categories.
He finished the year with 100 receptions, 1,163 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns, earning Second-team All-Pro honors for 2025. His production provided stability for a Saints passing game that leaned heavily on his route running and consistency.
On January 1, 2026, it was reported that Olave had developed a blood clot in one of his lungs, causing him to miss the team’s season finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Despite that late-season setback, his 2025 performance solidified his standing as one of the top wide receivers in the league heading into the next phase of his career.
