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After another strong season with the Carolina Panthers, Miami alum TE Greg Olsen has been named the 38th best player in the NFL by NFL Network.
From the time that he was a top national recruit in HS, Greg Olsen has been a highly touted player. And, throughout his collegiate and professional career, he as lived up to, and exceeded, the expectations many have had for him.
As a senior in HS, Olsen was considered a 5-star recruit, and named one of 3 finalists for the Gatorade Player of the Year award for the best prep football player in America. After a record-setting career at Wayne Hills HS, Olsen participated in the 2003 U.S. Army All-American game before enrolling at the University of Notre Dame, where he stayed only weeks before transferring to the University of Miami.
Olsen had a solid career at Miami, ending with 87 catches for 1215 yards and 6 touchdowns over 3 seasons. Those numbers didn’t tell the whole story of Olsen’s abilities however, as he was one of the most well-rounded Tight Ends in the college game.
In 2006, the 6’5″ 235lb Olsen was a 1st round draft pick (#31 overall) by the Chicago Bears. Olsen played for the Bears for 4 years before being traded to the Carolina Panthers for a 3rd round pick in 2012.
In his time with Carolina, Olsen has raised his already stellar level of play. After 7 seasons which saw Olsen gain a high of 843 yards receiving, he has eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last 2 seasons, including a career high 1,104 yards in 2015 for the NFC Champion Panthers.
Based upon that amazing season, and his overall high level of play, NFL Network recently named Olsen as the 38th best player in the NFL.
Olsen is without question the top receiving option in Carolina, having developed a great on-field relationship with NFL MVP QB Cam Newton. At a time when many players are slowing down, Olsen seems to be getting better as his career progresses.
Olsen, who was ranked 89th on the NFL Network top 100 list last year, vaulted up more than 50 spots based on his strong play for the Panthers. He is one of the most dynamic players in the league, and this honor is well deserved. You can relive Olsen’s 2015 season in the highlight video below. (NSFW language in the accompanying audio)