Just because Jim Harbaugh coached the Michigan Wolverines, it doesn’t mean he’s not willing to give some Ohio State players a chance.
On Friday, the Los Angeles Chargers announced that they have signed Praise Olatoke, an All-Big Ten track star who competed for Ohio State, to a contract. Per the announcement, Olatoke will be given a chance at wide receiver.
Olatoke is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds but ran the 100-meter dash in a blistering 10.27 seconds. However, his only experience in football is at the club level.
Olatoke joined the Chargers via the NFL International Pathway Program, which has given international athletes like Olatoke (born in Nigeria and raised in Scotland per ProFootballTalk) a chance to hone their skills as NFL talents. As part of the program, Olatoke will not count against the Chargers’ 90-team training camp roster or their practice squad limit during the season.
Some notable players who have made their NFL debut through the program include Jordan Mailata and Efe Obada.
Olatoke has competed at the international stage in track and ranked 118 in the world by World Athletics for the 200 meter run. He ranks 453 in the world for the 100 meter dash.
Will Olatoke make an impact for the Chargers?