From Paso Robles to the NFL, Josh Oliver is ‘living out a dream’ with Minnesota Vikings

Former Paso Robles High star Josh Oliver is living out his dream playing in the NFL — already having scored two career touchdowns, getting to know famous quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and now Kirk Cousins, and relishing the excitement of stepping onto the field in the spotlight of a highly charged playoff game.

Oliver, 26, a 259-pound, 6-foot-5 tight end, signed a three-year, $21 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings entering this season, which will be his fifth in the NFL, though he missed all of 2020 with a broken foot.

Known for his versatility as a skilled blocker with size and athleticism, Oliver said in phone interview that he is living out a childhood fantasy.

“I had the aspiration when I was 7 to make it to the NFL, and the NBA too,” Oliver said. “I figured I couldn’t be a 6-foot-5 center in the NBA, but I realized the NFL was attainable and I really put that into gear. It’s awesome just living out a dream, doing what I love. It’s a huge blessing, and I can’t ask for anything more.”

Earning first-team, all-county accolades from The Tribune in football and basketball at Paso Robles High, Oliver recorded 453 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in his senior season in 2014-15, playing on both sides of the ball, as a tight end on offense and lockdown linebacker on defense.

At Paso Robles, Oliver starred alongside receiver Bailey Gaither, his former tee-ball teammate as a kid, who has played pro football in the USFL. Gaither has garnered NFL interest, attending Packers and Ravens training camps in recent years, after Gaither had a standout career as a receiver at San Jose State.

Oliver also made his mark in college at San Jose State, where he totaled 709 receiving yards and four touchdowns as a senior.

“I keep in touch with a few people (from home),” Oliver said. “I try to come back at least one or two weeks of the year (to SLO County), to go back and visit my grandma, and some other family members and hang out in the community.”

Adjustment to the NFL

Oliver said that the jump to the NFL from San Jose State was an even much bigger hurdle than that one from Paso Robles High to NCAA Division 1 football.

“Everything in the NFL is an adjustment,” Oliver said. “Everybody is fast, everyone is strong and everyone is smart.”

After being drafted as the 69th overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, Oliver said that battling injuries in his first two years and trying to get established in the NFL was challenging, but in his third year with the Baltimore Ravens, it all came together.

“Just coming from a smaller school and struggling with injuries my first two years, I finally got on track my third year in Baltimore,” Oliver said.

In 2021 and 2022, he played in 31 games and hauled in 23 receptions for 215 yards with his two scoring catches taking place in 2022.

Oliver said he has felt like he is just “one of the guys” around NFL stars like Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews on the Ravens, and Kirk Cousins and T.J. Hockenson on the Vikings.

Continuing a family legacy

Oliver was born in Templeton and comes from a family of athletes.

His father Rene Oliver was an All-Western Conference first-team cornerback at Cal Poly in 1987 and 1988. His uncle Clancy Oliver played in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 and 1970. Another uncle Darren Oliver, had a lengthy Major League Baseball career, pitching for 11 different teams from 1993 to 2013.

“I look up to them, and both of my older brothers who played football as well,” Josh Oliver said.

Oliver said that it was a huge moment signing his Vikings’ contract.

“You always hear coming into the league about that second contract, and being able to actually put pen to paper and sign, it was a huge blessing,” Oliver said.

How will he spend his millions?

“I’ll try to take it easy,” Oliver said with a chuckle. “It all depends on the person, I guess (how players spend their money after big earnings in the NFL). I’ll try to take it easy. I have invested in some stocks.”

Oliver said that playing in the postseason in 2022 for the Ravens (in a 24-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals) was one of his biggest NFL thrills so far, an atmosphere that was “really cool.” He caught two passes in the closely contested AFC Wild Card game.

As for his aspirations over the next three years?

“The goals are to win games, stay healthy and contribute as much as I can,” Oliver said. “I’m working every day. ... I’m excited about the season. I feel great about the team. It’s an exciting opportunity. We have a lot of weapons and it’s an awesome culture here.”