The Falcons selected former Pittsburgh running back Qadree Ollison in the fifth round (152nd overall) in the NFL draft Saturday.

Here’s what Ollison had to say:

On how good it felt to hear his name called: "All of my life I've been working for this moment and to experience this moment and to be apart of the NFL and this fraternity, it's a blessing."

On how much interaction he had with the Falcons leading to today: "Not a whole lot. I've talked to them a few times. I spoke to coach (Dave) Brock, the running backs coach, on the phone about a week ago, had a good conversation. That was the extent of the conversation that we had."

On how he feels he can fit in with the Falcons as a bigger back: "I think I can come in and play my role. I can bring something a little different to the table as a bigger back, being physical and an imposing runner downhill, just being a one-cut runner. Run a lot of outside zone and things like that. I think I can come in and help right away on special teams, contribute however I can."

On how he stayed positive after the big freshman year and then coming back for a big senior year:  "Just being faithful and trusting the process. Keep going to work. Really just staying the course and just being the same person every day and showing up to work every day."

About the Author

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) celebrates his touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)

Credit: AP

Featured

Waymo autonomous vehicles operate across 65 square miles inside I-285 and have been involved in six incidents with Atlanta Public School buses since May. Waymo issued a recall because of their cars briefly stopping or slowing down before continuing forward while a bus was stopped and flashing its lights. (Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools)

Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Public Schools