Oluwafemi Oladejo is not your average NFL rookie. The Tennessee Titans’ new edge rusher doesn’t carry the pedigree of a first-round selection, nor does he arrive in Nashville with a highlight reel full of viral sacks or media fanfare. But what Oladejo does bring to the table is something the Titans are quietly craving in the post-Mike Vrabel era: grit, intelligence, and a relentless motor that refuses to shut down. A former linebacker who transitioned to edge rusher during his college career, Oladejo represents a new kind of defender—one built for modern offenses, molded by experience, and hungry to prove he belongs.
Coming out of UCLA, Oladejo was viewed as a versatile chess piece who could move around the defense depending on the situation. While scouts were split on his ideal NFL position, the Titans saw something in his raw power, explosiveness, and football IQ. Tennessee’s new coaching staff, led by head coach Brian Callahan and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, made it clear early in the offseason that they wanted to reshape the defensive front with faster, more versatile pieces who could generate pressure from anywhere on the field. Oladejo, though young and relatively untested at edge, was exactly the type of player they believed could blossom under the right circumstances.
Born and raised in Antioch, California, Oladejo’s journey to the NFL was anything but typical. He didn’t grow up dreaming about sacking quarterbacks or lifting Lombardi Trophies. Instead, his early years were spent focusing on school, church, and family. Football didn’t become a serious pursuit until high school, where his athleticism and discipline began to separate him from his peers. His high school coach remembers a kid who was more focused on doing his job right than making the flashy play. That blue-collar mindset never left him.
At Cal, where he started his college career, Oladejo showed immediate promise as a linebacker, leading the team in tackles during his sophomore season. However, it wasn’t until he transferred to UCLA that he began to expand his skill set as an edge rusher. Coaches at UCLA saw untapped potential in his pass-rushing abilities and began transitioning him into a hybrid role. While the adjustment was far from seamless, it proved invaluable for his development. Learning to play off the edge meant rethinking everything—his stance, his reads, his attack angles. But Oladejo, always a student of the game, soaked up the nuances like a sponge.
NFL scouts took notice of his adaptability. Though he wasn’t considered a surefire draft pick by every analyst, his workouts and private interviews left a strong impression. Teams liked his intelligence and leadership. He wasn’t just another athlete; he understood the game and spoke like a coach. When the Titans selected him in the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn’t seen as a flashy move, but those within the organization knew they had a potential gem on their hands.
Now, as offseason workouts and rookie minicamp unfold in Nashville, Oladejo is turning heads. While the Titans’ defensive line room remains competitive, especially with veteran presences like Harold Landry III and the newly acquired Denico Autry returning, Oladejo is earning reps by showing maturity beyond his years. Coaches have praised his film study habits and technique discipline—two traits that are often hard to find in rookies. He stays after practice to work on hand placement drills with assistant defensive line coaches and frequently sits in the film room long after most teammates have gone home. It’s this quiet commitment that has veterans taking notice.
“Femi’s got something in him,” said Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. “He doesn’t talk a lot, but you watch him work and it’s like, man, this kid is serious. He’s already asking the right questions, trying to pick things up that took me years to learn. He’s ahead of where I was at his age.”
That praise is more than just locker-room politicking. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, known for his demanding approach and high standards, has also lauded Oladejo’s progress during the early stages of the Titans’ offseason program. Wilson envisions a defense that attacks in waves, with interchangeable parts capable of confusing opposing quarterbacks. In that vision, a player like Oladejo, who can drop back into coverage on one play and crash off the edge the next, becomes a valuable asset.
The rookie, for his part, isn’t letting the compliments go to his head. He knows nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, especially not for a late-round pick with positional flexibility but no locked-in role. “I’m just trying to earn trust,” Oladejo said during his first media availability. “Trust from my coaches, trust from the vets, trust from the organization. I know who I am, I know what I bring, but I also know this league will humble you fast. I’m just putting in the work and letting everything else take care of itself.”
That mindset resonates in a Titans locker room undergoing a cultural shift. After years of riding the wave of physical, defense-first football under Vrabel, the franchise is pivoting to a more balanced approach under Callahan. While the offense may take center stage with Will Levis entering his second year and a new scheme being installed, Tennessee’s front office knows a championship contender still needs defensive edge-setters who can make life miserable for elite quarterbacks. Whether Oladejo will become that type of player remains to be seen, but early signs suggest he’s on the right path.
Veteran teammates have embraced their new rookie, with many noting his quiet confidence and willingness to learn. During a recent team drill, Oladejo was seen pulling aside a defensive assistant after practice to review his missed read on a zone blitz. It’s the kind of moment that often goes unnoticed by the media but sticks with coaches and veterans alike. He’s not just chasing sacks—he’s trying to understand the full picture, the why behind every call and alignment.
Of course, the leap from college to the NFL is steep, and even the most cerebral rookies must adjust to the speed, power, and complexity of the pro game. Oladejo is no exception. He’s admitted that the tempo of practice alone has pushed him to levels of mental and physical exertion he didn’t experience in college. “It’s like everything is in fast-forward,” he joked. “But you either keep up or get left behind. I’m here to keep up.”
Beyond the physical grind, Oladejo has also had to adjust to the business side of football. Being a late-round pick means fewer guarantees and smaller margins for error. Every rep, every meeting, every impression matters. Special teams coordinator Colt Anderson has already begun working Oladejo into kick coverage units, where rookies often prove their worth early on. The Titans view special teams as a proving ground for young defenders, and Oladejo has embraced that challenge. “If they want me on kickoff, punt, wherever—I’m ready. I just want to be on the field,” he said.
That mentality has endeared him to the coaching staff, who value players that don’t see themselves as too good for the dirty work. The Titans believe that edge players must earn their stripes through effort and consistency before they’re handed pass-rushing assignments on Sundays. Oladejo seems well aware of the path ahead, and he’s not cutting corners.
There’s also an intriguing personal dynamic at play. Oladejo is one of only a handful of Nigerian-American players on the Titans’ roster, and he takes pride in his cultural background. He speaks often about the influence of his parents, both of whom immigrated to the United States in pursuit of better opportunities. That work ethic and sense of responsibility permeate everything he does. “My family sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position,” Oladejo said. “It’s bigger than football for me. I want to represent where I come from and show that hard work and faith can take you a long way.”
It’s a message that resonates in a league increasingly shaped by international influence and diversity. The Titans have embraced that identity and view players like Oladejo as cultural tone-setters—not just future contributors on the field, but examples in the locker room.
As the preseason draws closer, the buzz surrounding Oladejo continues to build. While the starting lineup is far from set, he is positioning himself to be more than just a depth piece. His play will ultimately determine how many snaps he earns, but if effort, intelligence, and attitude count for anything—and in the NFL, they usually do—then the Titans may have found a hidden gem in the late rounds of the draft.
Tennessee’s defense, once the backbone of its identity, is undergoing a retooling phase. And while big names and proven veterans still dominate the conversation, players like Oluwafemi Oladejo are the quiet investments that can pay dividends when it matters most. In a division featuring explosive quarterbacks and offensive minds, the Titans need disruptors who can create chaos from multiple spots on the field. Oladejo’s versatility gives them just that.
Time will tell whether he becomes a starter, a key rotational piece, or a developmental story. But one thing is already clear—he’s not here to blend in. Oluwafemi Oladejo is determined to make his mark, one rep, one play, one practice at a time. And for a Titans team searching for the next wave of impact defenders, that’s exactly the kind of mindset that could reshape their future.
