NFL International Player Pathway spotlight: Bamidele Olaseni, OL, UK

| 2022 NFL International Player Pathway Program | 02/07/2022

Offensive lineman Bamidele Olaseni of the Utah Utes has been named as one of 13 athletes to attend the NFL’s International Player Pathway program in Chandler, Arizona.

The 13 selected athletes will train for several weeks at the LeCharles Bentley facility in Arizona before attending a college pro-day in April. Of the 13 athletes, eight will be selected and placed on NFL teams after the NFL Draft.

Olaseni began his playing career in 2014 with the London Blitz youth team before moving to the senior team in 2016. It was during his senior career that those around him started to realize that there were bigger things destined for the 6’8″, 330 pounder.

In 2018, Olaseni signed for Garden City Community College, in Garden City, Kansas – made famous for its appearance on Netflix’s Last Chance U. The big man started in 10 of 11 games and earned himself NJCAA first-team honors and was ranked the ninth best OT in JUCO football.

Olaseni’s athleticism and ridiculous wingspan didn’t go unnoticed by top recruits in the country, with schools like Arkansas, Auburn, Ohio State, Mississippi State and Tennessee all vying for his commitment. But it was Utah that eventually landed Olaseni.

Olaseni saw very little action during the 2019 and 2020 seasons, but this time wasn’t wasted. OIaseni used his time at Utah to perfect his craft and build himself up as one of the best offensive tackles in the country.

Olaseni saw action in all 14 games during the 2021 season on a top 25 team, providing an anchor at left tackle for a team that would narrowly lose to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.

Olaseni earned an appearance in the East West Shrine game last week with scouts flocking to see the man whose 88 ⅜ inch wingspan would be the biggest in the NFL.

Olaseni will be one of five offensive linemen at the IPP this year, all hoping to get their shot in the NFL. In Olaseni’s case though, it’s unlikely that he will have to wait until after the draft to find out his NFL future, with many pundits projecting him as a mid- to late-round pick in the NFL Draft. 

 

Daniel Mackenzie is a Press Association graduate who works in journalism and communications in the third sector. Daniel began playing football for the London Warriors and Team Great Britain and has since played across Europe.