Scarlet Sunrise: Former Buckeyes star Chris Olave agrees to rookie contract with Saints

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Former Buckeyes star Chris Olave agrees to rookie contract with Saints

Chris Olave torched college defenses for four seasons at Ohio State.

He is locked in to do the same in the NFL for years to come. Olave agreed to terms on a 4-year, fully-guaranteed $19.2 million contract with the New Orleans Saints on Friday, according to ESPN NFL expert Adam Schefter.

Olave, the No. 11 overall pick in the NFL Draft last month, was a coveted prospect out of Ohio State after an incredible career. The Saints traded up early into the first round to land Olave, who was drafted just one slot behind former Buckeyes receiver Garrett Wilson and one spot before former Ohio State speedster Jameson Williams.

Olave is one of the rookie receivers gaining the most buzz already this offseason, and now he is locked in with the Saints. He agreed to his first pro contract Friday.

Ohio State AD Gene Smith honored with major leadership award

Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith has helped lead college athletics into new territory at nearly every turn during his time as a Buckeyes administrator.

He is now being honored for his work in the world of college athletics. Smith received the David Williams II Leadership Award by the Lead1 Association at the annual Collegiate Sports Summit this week. The event has been taking place this week in Dallas.

According to an Ohio State release, the award given to Smith is “presented to an athletics director who personifies exemplary leadership, vision, service, and dedication in intercollegiate athletics.” Smith certainly fits the bill, and he was honored for his work.

Smith is at the forefront of the changing landscape of college athletics. He has been on various committees focused on where the NCAA can improve, how the Name, Image and Likeness task force and better-help athletes, how the College Football Playoff can be better-suited for the sport and NCAA Tournament committees during his career.

ICYMI: Four-star Ohio State receiver target trims school list

Noah Rogers, the country’s No. 8-ranked wideout, narrowed his top schools down to just five Thursday. Ohio State, led by receivers coach Brian Hartline, is joined on the list by North Carolina State, North Carolina and Florida State and Clemson.

Rogers made his only visit with the Buckeyes in Mid-April. That was for the Ohio State spring football game and following that trip, Hartline and the Buckeyes emerged as the presumptive favorite for his eventual commitment. That commitment still hasn’t been set yet, however.

The Buckeyes are in good position to once again strike gold at receiver. Rogers, 6-foot-2 and 185-pounds, would give Hartline and Ohio State another talented weapon on the outside. The Buckeyes are recruiting up to four different wideouts in the 2023 recruiting cycle and if they’re able to land Noah Rogers all attention will turn to Florida standouts Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate.

The Buckeyes are a big leader in the recruitment of Rogers according to the On3.com Recruiting Prediction Machine. The RPM uses machine learning on factors just as visits, distance from home and other variables combined with analysts predictions to give the best analysis about a recruit’s potential college choice.

READ: Four-star Ohio State receiver target Noah Rogers narrows school list

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