Olakitan “Kitan” Oladapo (born October 10, 2000) is an American professional football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon State Beavers. Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, Oladapo has quickly established himself as a reliable reserve safety with the Packers.
Kitan Oladapo Bio
Kitan Oladapo grew up in Happy Valley, Oregon and attended Central Catholic High School, where he played alongside future college standouts Brady Breeze, Blake Brandel, and Cameron Scarlett. His high school career included 16 tackles with one going for a loss. Despite his on-field contributions, college scouts overlooked Oladapo during the recruiting process. Undeterred, he chose to walk on at Oregon State and earn his roster spot through consistent performance and hard work.
Oladapo is the son of Akin and Funke Oladapo, and has two siblings: a brother named Kash and a sister named Anjola. Kash Oladapo plays as a goalkeeper for the Portland Hearts of Pine. Kitan Oladapo currently resides in Happy Valley, Oregon. He stands 188 centimeters tall and weighs 98 kilograms.
Path to American Football
The path to a professional football career was far from straightforward for Oladapo. After redshirting in his first season at Oregon State in 2018, he appeared in only one game during the 2019 season and recorded no statistics. His breakthrough began during the shortened 2020 season when he played in six games and tallied 26 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, two sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.
Oladapo intercepted a pass from Cooper Legas in the Beavers’ loss to Utah State in the 2021 LA Bowl. He had a breakout season in 2021, recording 69 tackles, 5.5 for a loss, one sack, one interception, and eight pass deflections. The 2022 season cemented his status as one of the top defensive backs in the Pac-12 Conference. In Week 2, Oladapo posted a career-best 15 tackles, one sack, and one pass deflection, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week honors. During the Beavers’ season finale, he recorded a career-high 17 tackles and helped Oregon State upset ninth-ranked Oregon, earning Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week recognition for the second time that season. He finished 2022 with 80 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and six pass deflections, earning First Team All-Pac-12 honors. He returned for the 2023 season and earned Second-team All-Pac-12 recognition.
Kitan Oladapo Career
Early Career (2024–Present)
The Green Bay Packers selected Oladapo in the fifth round with the 169th overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft. On May 14, 2024, he signed his rookie contract with the team. As a fifth-round selection, Oladapo joined a Packers organization with a strong history of developing defensive talent. He entered training camp competing for a role on a deep and competitive safety group, and he earned a spot on the active roster for the 2024 season.
During his rookie campaign, Oladapo appeared in 14 games primarily as a reserve safety. He recorded 17 total tackles and one pass deflection through the regular season. Listed at 188 centimeters and 98 kilograms, he brings a physical presence to the Packers secondary and showed flashes of his ball-hawking ability that made him a fan favorite at Oregon State. His rookie season provided a strong foundation for continued development within Green Bay’s defensive scheme.
Playing Style and Strengths
Oladapo’s playing style centers on physical run support and opportunistic coverage skills. His frame and tackling technique make him effective near the line of scrimmage, while his experience in pass coverage at the collegiate level translates to his NFL role. He reads offensive formations well and reacts quickly to developing plays, qualities that stand out in both run defense and coverage situations. His progression from walk-on to NFL draft pick reflects his relentless work ethic and his ability to develop his game through consistent effort over multiple seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Oladapo’s collegiate career came during the 2022 season finale, when he posted 17 tackles and helped Oregon State pull off a stunning upset over ninth-ranked Oregon. That performance earned him Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week recognition and established him as one of the premier defensive players in the conference. Being selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft after walking on at Oregon State represents one of the most remarkable developmental stories in recent college football history.
Kitan Oladapo Career Wins
Kitan Oladapo’s football career includes notable wins and standout performances at both the collegiate and professional levels. During his time at Oregon State, he helped the Beavers secure victories in several high-profile conference matchups, including the memorable upset of Oregon in the 2022 season finale. In his rookie NFL season with the Packers, he contributed to multiple regular-season victories as a reserve defensive player.
National Football League Highlights
Oladapo appeared in 14 regular-season games during his rookie campaign with the Green Bay Packers in 2024. He recorded 17 total tackles and one pass deflection across the season. Selected in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL draft, he has steadily developed within the Packers’ defensive system and continues to compete for increased playing time. His most notable NFL performance to date came in Week 12, when he contributed a key pass deflection against the San Francisco 49ers.
Other Wins and Performances
At Oregon State, Oladapo was named AP First Team All-Pac-12 following the 2022 season and Second-team All-Pac-12 in 2023. He earned Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week twice in 2022 following dominant performances against California and Oregon. His interception in the 2021 LA Bowl against Utah State highlighted his playmaking ability on the biggest stage during his college career.
Kitan Oladapo Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Kitan Oladapo comes from a family rooted in sports. His brother Kash Oladapo plays as a goalkeeper for the Portland Hearts of Pine, bringing professional athletic experience to the family. Oladapo’s parents, Akin and Funke Oladapo, supported his football development from his early years in Happy Valley, Oregon. His sister Anjola has also been a part of his journey from Oregon State to the NFL.
Personal Life
Oladapo maintains his residence in Happy Valley, Oregon, the community where he grew up and began his football career. He keeps a relatively private personal life focused on his professional development with the Green Bay Packers. His walk-on story and family support system have shaped his approach to the game and his perspective on success in professional football.
2025 Season Performance
Kitan Oladapo enters the 2025 NFL season looking to build on his productive rookie campaign with the Green Bay Packers. After appearing in 14 games and recording 17 tackles in his first season, he is working to expand his role within the defensive secondary. The Packers are counting on continued development from their 2024 draft class, and Oladapo’s combination of size, physicality, and collegiate production positions him for increased responsibilities.
Training camp and the preseason will determine the extent of Oladapo’s snap count in 2025. The Packers secondary features experienced veterans alongside younger talent, creating a competitive environment that pushes every player to maximize their potential. Oladapo’s performance in organized team activities and preseason games will be closely monitored as the coaching staff evaluates the depth chart. If he continues to improve his coverage skills and show reliable tackling form, he could see a meaningful increase in defensive snaps during his second season in Green Bay.