Drew Olson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Drew Olson | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | April 6, 1983 |
| Place of birth | San Francisco, CA |
| Position(s) | QB |
| College | UCLA |
| Team(s) | |
| 2006 | Baltimore Ravens |
Drew Olson (born April 6, 1983 in San Francisco, California) is a former a starting quarterback for the University of California, Los Angeles football team, where he broke many of UCLA's passing records. Currently, Olson is a member of the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League.
[edit] High school
Olson grew up in the affluent town of Piedmont, California, where he was the starting Quarterback for the Piedmont Highlanders and gave the small school serious attention in the state, and even national spectacle. Olson also demonstrated his athletic talent on the baseball diamond where he played catcher for the Highlanders. Olson became regarded as the top Quarterback in the state, No. 6 in the west, No. 16 in the nation, earning four varsity letters, and moved Piedmont High School into the top 10 in the state among small schools.
[edit] College
After graduation from Piedmont High School, Olson enrolled at UCLA. In his freshman year Olson started five games in the second half of the season due to Cory Paus' separated shoulder injury in a game against Cal that sidelined him for four games. For his spectacular performance in five games in 2002, Olson earned the starting job in 2003. In 2003 he appeared in twelve of the thirteen games, nine of which he was the starter for. He completed 173 of 325 passes (53.2%) for 2,067 yards with 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions, as UCLA won two less games than the previous year, going 6-7. In Olson's Junior season, he, his stats, and the Bruins themselves exploded. As the starter in all 12 games, Olson completed 196 of 341 passes (57.5%) for 2,565 yards, 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions (four on deflections). In 2005, Olson's senior season Olson completed an astounding 232 of 354 passes (65.5%) for 3055, with 31 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions (stats current to Sun Bowl). Olson began to make national headlines, and was widely considered the most underrated quarterback in the nation, as UCLA went 10-2 and finished as the 17th ranked team in the country. Olson's season was so impressive that when he wasn't invited to New York for the Heisman presentation, there was an uproar of anger and discontent. Olson never beat USC.
[edit] Professional
After going undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, Olson signed a non-guaranteed contract as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens on May 12, 2006. Olson was cut by the Ravens prior to the start of the 2006 NFL season, but signed to their practice squad.
