Justin Olack a quiet leader for Rockets during Toledo’s 2014 campaign

Alex Campos

Senior wide receiver Justin Olack (shown above during Toledo’s victory over Central Michigan) has taken on the role of quiet leader for the Rockets’ wide receiver corps, taking pride in teaching and encouraging Toledo’s young pass catchers this season.

While some argue an effective leader must be in the center stage and in your face, senior wide receiver Justin Olack is leading a young and talented Toledo wide receiver corps his own way.

He’s leading by example.

“I take pride in trying to teach young receivers the right way to go,” Olack said. “I think being the team-oriented guy is way more important than being involved with yourself.”

Because Olack doesn’t have the in-your-face personality that other leaders may possess, he chooses to instruct through his play.

“He’s a guy that is kind of quiet,” said sophomore wide receiver Corey Jones. “He really proves all of his points by actions; instead of talking he’ll show you how to get it done.”

Jones has looked to Olack for advice and Olack has helped reshape much of Jones’ attitude and the way he conducts himself on the field.

“[Olack] gave me that attitude, I’m probably the guy that kind of talks on the team,” Jones said. “He just showed me that I should really let my plays speak for me instead of my mouth.”

Olack has played all four years of his collegiate football career in Toledo. His senior campaign looks to be the most promising, as he has already almost matched his entire 2013 production, including recording his career-high for reception yards against Eastern Michigan.

The senior wide receiver has become a security blanket of sorts for sophomore quarterback Logan Woodside. After taking over for previous starting quarterback Phillip Ely, who was lost to a season ending ACL tear, Woodside has targeted Olack early and often in his first two games under center, letting Olack use his height and length to go up and snatch balls over defenders heads.

“Yeah, anytime we’ve got a big receiver it’s better for me, I’ve got more opportunities to get the ball his way,” Woodside said. “He’s a bigger target, so if I throw a pass that’s a little off I know he can go up and make the catch.”

Olack’s physical stature isn’t the only plus that Woodside has appreciated, citing his work ethic when learning the routes and how to run them in the most efficient way.

“All of our receivers have pretty good hands but [Olack] does a really good job of getting his route and getting open,” Woodside said. “The way they run their routes is really how they get open.”

Olack may be the experienced veteran in Toledo’s wide receiver room, but that doesn’t mean he is done perfecting his own craft.

“I’m trying to lock in every catch better and trying to get more yards per catch and win this MAC Championship,” he said.

When asked about whether or not he was a big reason for Woodside’s easy transition into the starting quarterback position he was quick to brush off any personal compliments, deflecting the praise to his teammates instead — just the reaction you would expect from someone who silently leads by example.

“I think it’s just we’re spreading the ball around and Logan does a good job of making the right read,” Olack said. “It just happened to work out that way.”