April 24, 2010
NEW YORK – Former University of Notre Dame offensive lineman Eric Olsen was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 14th pick of the sixth round and 183rd selection overall Saturday at the 2010 NFL Draft.
Olsen becomes the sixth former Irish offensive lineman drafted in the last five drafts (Dan Stevenson, New England, 2006; Ryan Harris, Denver, 2007; Dan Santucci, Cincinnati, 2007; John Sullivan, Minnesota, 2008; Sam Young, Dallas, 2010).
Olsen started 31 consecutive games to close his Notre Dame career and started at all three interior positions on the offensive line during his career. Olsen opened six games as the starter at right guard as a sophomore, started all 13 games at left guard as a junior and all 12 games at center in 2009.
As a senior, Olsen was voted one of four team captains by his teammates and served as co-captain of the offense along with quarterback Jimmy Clausen. Olsen was tabbed third-team All-America by Sporting News after the season after moving to center during training camp. He registered more snaps than any Irish offensive player and graded out the best of all linemen. At the season-ending banquet, Olsen was presented the Guardian of the Year award, acknowledging him as Notre Dame’s top offensive lineman. He allowed only one sack in 2009 in over 450 pass attempts and blocked for Clausen as he recorded one of the best passing seasons in nation in 2009. Olsen helped improve the Irish rushing attack as Notre Dame running backs and wide receivers combined to average 5.0 yards per carry, an increase from 4.1 yards per carry in 2008.
A native of Staten Island, N.Y., Olsen is set to graduate from Notre Dame’s College of Arts and Letters with a degree in art design this May.
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