NASHVILLE – Femi Oladejo looks the part, and new Titans coach Robert Saleh noticed it immediately.
"One thing I'll say with (Femi) is he looks good coming off the bus, right?," Saleh said of Oladejo, who is heading into his second NFL season. "I mean, he looks awesome."
Oladejo wants to prove to the Titans and everyone else he can do the part, while adjusting to a new position once again.
Saleh said on Thursday Oladejo is plenty capable, because of his skill set, and his want-to. Even if Oladejo remains a work in progress as a player, he already has attributes that will help him, and the team, Saleh said.
"I will put myself on a chair and scream that he will play with elite effort and strength, that is unquestioned, just being with him through OTAs and the first day," Saleh said of Oladejo. "He's raw in the sense that he has not had a lot of opportunity to rush the passer and to do the things that we're going to ask, but I've got a lot confidence in the fact that he's going to, at minimum, produce enough just based off his effort, his length, his athleticism, his tenacity, his strain, and we'll continue to develop the skillset that he needs to be able to win those 1-on-1s on a consistent basis.
"He's a young man, he's raw to the position in terms of what we're going to ask him to do. But he's got the mindset and the athletic traits that we covet to attack from a developmental standpoint."
A second-round pick of the Titans in the 2025 NFL Draft, Oladejo played in six games as an edge rusher during his rookie season and tallied 13 tackles, two tackles for a loss and two quarterback pressures.
This offseason, in a changing defensive scheme, Oladejo is working as a defensive end, where his technique and approach will be different. But Oladejo is used to change – he began his college career at UCLA as an off-the-ball linebacker before switching to edge during his senior season.
"It's part of the game," Oladejo said. "You have to be versatile. You have to keep learning."
Even after being sidelined in 2025 and spending the final months of the season on Injured Reserve, Oladejo said he made strides.
"I learned a lot last year, just the importance of the details, taking care of your body," he said. "Obviously learning your vets, watching film, learning your opponent, and perfecting your craft."
Now, heading into Year 2, Oladejo said he's ready to make his mark.
Listed at 6-foot-3, 259 pounds, Oladejo looks even bigger than he was last season.
"Maybe," Oladejo said, smiling, when asked if he's put on size. "I stuck to the same program, just ate well, stayed in the weight room, hot yoga, took care of my body and just got bigger."
This fall, he wants to be a bigger contributor on the field, and prove his head coach right.
"Coach Saleh is great, a great defensive-minded coach," Oladejo said. "He's great overall, energy guy. I think I can fit well in his system, make plays, and help the team win.
"With this system, you put your hand on the dirt and you go straight – you can't really lose as long as you are coming off the ball. So, I am pretty confident. Still a lot to learn technique-wise, but if you come off the rock, you've got a great shot."
