Praise Olatoke | Class of 2018
Published by St Columba's School, Kilmacolm on Monday 3rd of February 2025
Professional American Football Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers
Praise Olatoke, originally from Lagos, Nigeria, relocated to Glasgow with his family at the age of five. As he grew up, he immersed himself in a variety of sports, including rugby and football, but his true passion lay in track and field. At St Columba’s, Praise excelled as a sprinter as well as on the rugby pitch.
“One of the most valuable lessons I took from my time at St. Columba’s was the power of dreaming big. Surrounded by ambitious and driven peers, I was inspired to reach beyond the ordinary and pursue a life filled with purpose and passion. I left St. Columba’s with a mindset not just to go through life, but to truly live it—to take bold steps, embrace challenges, and shape my own path rather than letting circumstances define me.”
During his time at school, Praise became a prominent member of the Scottish national track team and was honoured as the Scottish U20 Athlete of the Year in 2019. He also represented Great Britain at the 2019 European Athletics U20 Championships, competing in the 200 metres. His outstanding performances during this time earned him an athletic scholarship to Trinity Western Spartans in Canada.
In his first year at Trinity Western, Praise made a notable impact at the U Sports Championships, where he finished sixth in the 60 metres with a time of 6.9seconds. He set a new school record in the 60 metres in January 2020 with a time of 6.82 seconds and then broke his own record at that year’s U Sports Championships, placing second with a mark of 6.75. Additionally, he set a new school record in the 60 metres and 300 metres.
In 2021, Olatoke transferred to Ohio State University, where he continued to excel in track and field. Over the course of two seasons with the Buckeyes he achieved significant milestones. In 2022, he earned first-team ‘All Big Ten’ honours for outdoor track, running an impressive 10.27 seconds in the 100 metres at the Outdoor Championships. He was also a crucial member of the 4x100m relay team, which secured a ‘Big Ten’ title.
While at Ohio State, Praise developed a keen interest in American football. After utilising his remaining track eligibility, he decided to join the Buckeyes Club football team as a wide receiver. With only a few practice sessions under his belt and his teammates helping him with the football gear, Praised quickly adapted to the new sport. His rapid improvement was evident when he caught a 65-yard touchdown pass in his second game. By the end of the season, he had accumulated seven receptions for 231 yards and four touchdowns.
In December 2022, Praise graduated from Ohio State University with a degree in sports business. In 2023 he pursued his dream of playing professional football by reaching out to the NFL Academy in great Britain. This led him to secure a spot in the International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) which is designed to give foreign players opportunities in the league. After a successful try out in August 2023, Praise spent 10 weeks training at IMG Academy in Florida. Praise showcased his athleticism by running a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the IMG Pro Day in March 2024. In May 2024, he was invited to the rookie minicamp of the Philadelphia Eagles, and by June 2024, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. Praise signed as a wide receiver for the Carolina Panthers on 2nd September and will be making his debut for them later in the year.
Praise, we are immensely excited to follow your journey and see where your remarkable talents take you next.
