NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players: No. 49 - David Olson, Freeport

The 49th player on our list was a do-little-bit-of-everything player for the Pretzels who became a fixture at tight end in one of the better runs of success in University of Illinois history.

David Olson started out as a defensive end and tight end for the Pretzels as a junior. He was sixth in the conference in receiving yards with 434 for a 2-7 Freeport squad. As a senior, Olson moved to fullback, rushing for 329 yards and adding 254 as a receiver, and linebacker - where he was named first team All-Conference. Freeport was 4-5 his senior year.

Olson hoped to go the University of Iowa but ended up at Illinois, his second choice. It was good timing. After red-shirting in 1989, Olson would play in all 47 games for the Illinois over the next four years. This was a solid era for the Illini. Illinois went 25-21-1 during Olson's four years on varsity, playing in the Hall of Fame, Sun and Holiday bowls.

Olson had to share time, though, with lots of receivers. He ended up with 52 catches for 461 yards and five touchdowns. His junior year, 1992, was his most productive with 27 catches for 247. His 52 catches, though, remain the fourth most all-time by a NIC-10 player at the highest level of NCAA Division 1 football.

After college, Olson ended up in Cummings, Georgia, where he works in occupational medicine.

No. 49 - David Olson, Freeport
Year	Level	School	Accomplishments	Points
1987	High School	Freeport	Losing Team	0
1988	High School	Freeport	First Team All-Conference	2
1990	College	Illinois	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Winning Team	1
			Bowl Game	1
1991	College	Illinois	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Winning Team	1
			Bowl Game	1
1992	College	Illinois	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
			Winning Team	1
			Bowl Game	1
1993	College	Illinois	Letter Winner on Power 5 Team	4
			Starter	1
Total				26

NIC-10's 100 Greatest Football Players