NFL Combine: LeBron James had stunning one-word reaction to Saints star Chris Olave's 40 time
Chris Olave was one of the most prized wide receivers in last year's NFL Draft, primarily due to his 40-time at the NFL combine. The then-Ohio State star's 40-time of 4.26 seconds caught the eye of an Ohio legend, LeBron James. The Los Angeles Lakers star tweeted out just one word about Olave's time at the combine.
The wideout's official time ended up being 10 seconds more at 4.39 but was still the 10th fastest run at last year's combine. Olave's career with the Buckeyes was amongst the best in the school's history. He accumulated 175 receptions, 2,702 yards, and 35 touchdowns.
In his senior season, Chris Olave had 65 receptions for 936 yards and 13 touchdowns. His 13 touchdowns led the Big Ten and was tied for sixth-most in college football in the 2021 season. The receiver left Ohio State as their all-time leader for touchdowns, third in receptions, and fifth in yards.
Chris Olave and his rookie season in the NFL
After a stellar career at Ohio State and at the combine, the New Orleans Saints took him with the 11th overall pick in the draft. He played in 15 games last season for the Saints, starting nine of them. Olave had 72 receptions, 1,042 yards, and four touchdowns, leading the team in both receptions and yards.
Olave's 1,042 yards in his rookie season were the second-most in Saints history for a receiver. Michael Thomas gained 1,137 yards in 2016. The rookie wideout finished fourth in the voting for Offensive Rookie of the Year, with teammate Garrett Wilson winning the award.
Last season, the 22-year-old wideout's numbers proved that his 40-time at the combine was genuine. Olave accounted for 38.61 percent of his team's air yards, the seventh-highest percentage in the 2022 season, according to Next Gen Stats.
At this rate, James will continue to tweet about Chris Olave's career in the NFL with more than the word "wow" in the future.