Jake Olenick

BUTLER TWP — An academic fit and a good chance to play football.

Jake Olenick couldn’t resist the combination Gannon University had to offer. The Butler slot back will try to make the Golden Knights roster as a walk-on this summer.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Olenick plans to major in business.

“I was looking at Geneva, Robert Morris, Washington & Jefferson ... the Gannon situation is everything I want,” Olenick said.

Missing three games with injury last season, Olenick had 75 carries for 450 yards and caught six passes for 117 yards for the Golden Tornado. As a strong safety on defense, he had 31 tackles — 20 solo stops— and recovered a fumble.

“We asked that boy to do a lot of things,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said. “He’s a very versatile and athletic player. I think he can be an effective slot receiver in college.”

That opportunity may come sooner rather than later. Gannon runs a spread offense and has six receivers on its roster — a senior, three juniors and two sophomores — entering summer camp. Olenick would be the seventh.

“They use a number of people at that position and I want to be ready,” Olenick said. “They don’t have many guys at receiver right now because they spent a lot of money on defense, trying to stack that up.

“My goal, definitely, is to get on the field my freshman year. I need to work hard to make that happen.”

Brad Rzyczycki returns for his second year as head coach of the Golden Knights. Gannon finished 3-8 last season.

“Jake will have an opportunity up there,” Conti said. “He’s a grounded kid with his priorities in order. He used those priorities in selecting the institution he’ll be attending. Football is secondary.”

Olenick played key roles in three of Butler’s four wins last season. He had nine carries for 141 yards and two touchdowns, along with a 48-yard scoring catch against Shaler, carried 17 times for 87 yards at Hempfield, 10 times for 95 yards vs. Fox Chapel.

Olenick was one of Butler’s captains last season.

“I learned what it takes to be a leader,” he said. “I also saw what can be accomplished when a team comes together.

“Being able to handle pressure and having heart — that’s what it takes to succeed. I’ll always remember that.”

Olenick joins Butler senior teammates Bob Vernick (Slippery Rock), Jordan Cratty and Canan Roskovski (Clarion) and Kolby Kriess (Thiel) in moving on to college football.

“I’m thrilled for every one of them and I’ll be rooting for every one of them,” Conti said. “I’m already planning my Saturday schedule for this fall.

“Even if these guys don’t play right away, being in the stands watching them run on to the field wearing the colors of their institutions ... that stuff means a lot to me.”