Former Australian rugby standout now a sought after football recruit
After excelling as a rugby player while growing up in Australia, Sebastian Olver came to the United States 12 months ago to pursue a future in football. In that short period of time, he has shown enough potential on the gridiron to earn seven scholarship offers.
"Honestly I just started running around this year and it kind of clicked," said the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Olver. "I have played it for just a year now but I have already fallen in love with it. I know Americans love football, and I love football, I really do."
Olver lives with a family in Kentfield, Calif., where he attends Marin Catholic High School, but his parents still live in Australia. It has accelerated the maturity process.
"I have had to become more independent obviously. It has all been positive, though. Really, everything that has happened the last 12 months has been positive," he said.
Colorado, Iowa State, Hawaii, Fresno State, Idaho, UNLV and Nevada are the programs that have offered Olver, and Ohio State offered him a preferred walk-on spot this week.
Olver is being projected by some colleges as a tight end, while others are recruiting him as a defensive lineman. The Buffaloes are simply recruiting him as an athlete.
"It is about half and half. Honestly I am still finding my position," he admitted. "I just want to play football at the next level. I'll play wherever anyone wants me to play."
Coaches have told Olver they like the combination of his toughness, size and speed.
Olver has taken unofficial visits to UCLA, Nevada, Cal, Iowa State, and he stopped by Boulder to check out the Buffaloes in early April, shortly before Colorado offered him.
"I thought the campus at Colorado was amazing," Olver said. "It is all very surreal coming in and seeing their new facilities. Going from playing rugby on a small club team to having an opportunity to play for a multi-million dollar football program is amazing. Colorado is amazing. I had a really good time getting a chance to see their school."
Olver plans to camp at and visit some other schools, including Indiana and Purdue, this summer with his friend Chantz Russell, a 6-foot-6, 275-pound offensive tackle recruit.
"Chantz is starting to get some looks from colleges. Colorado is looking at him, too," Olver said. "We have decided we are going to go on a little tour across the country."
Prior to his summer visits, is there a college that stands out to Olver?
"I think I have to let the next few months kind of pan out because of these camps and visits, and from there I am going to make a decision. But I really love Colorado," he said.
