NASHVILLE – Leading up to the NFL Draft, the Titans spent countless hours studying quarterback Cam Ward, who'd they eventually pick first overall.
But there was another guy who consistently showed up on film when they scouted Ward: Xavier Restrepo, Ward's teammate – and favorite target – with the Miami Hurricanes.
"I mean, we watched a lot of tape on Cam, and you see all the plays that Xavier made over his career, particularly this past year," Titans coach Brian Callahan said. "All the players on that offense, we had a little bit more familiarity with just because of the nature of how much film you watch when you're evaluating a quarterback. And then you got a chance to be exposed to him at the pro day, and (Xavier) was there for the private as well."
The Titans ended up signing Restrepo as an undrafted free agent following the NFL Draft.
The 5-foot-10, 202-pound receiver took part in the team's rookie minicamp over the weekend, and he's been working on the field with the veterans this week in the offseason program.
He's looked explosive in early drills, and crisp as a route runner. He's also been fielding punts.
Ward admitted he campaigned for Restrepo every step of the way during the draft process, and he's glad to have him with him in Tennessee.
"I was real excited when (the Titans) signed X," Ward said. "He's somebody who was deserving of it. He's worked hard every day. He is one of the most underrated players that was in the draft this year. I think every time he steps on the field, he remembers everything, and he is going to continue to prove it.
"He was one of the best route runners in college football last year, he is first team All-conference, he is All-American, he never lost in man coverage. He is a back-to-back 1,000-yard receiver, so why wouldn't you push for him?"
Restrepo played in 53 games with 28 starts over five seasons (2020-24) at the University of Miami. He finished his career as Miami's all-time leader in receptions (200), receiving yards (2,844) and touchdowns (21).
During his final two seasons, Restrepo earned All-ACC first-team honors while setting program records. In 2023, he set the single season record for receptions with 85. In 2024, he became the first Hurricane wideout to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons (1,092– 2023; 1,127 – 2024). Restrepo earned consensus NCAA All-American first-team recognition in 2024.
Restrepo didn't get picked in the NFL Draft, presumably because of a Pro Day 40-time that was slower than expected.
Callahan acknowledged the 40-time mattered, but said the Titans saw enough in him to want to give him a chance.
Restrepo is competing with two draft picks at the position in Tennessee – Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor – along with returning veterans in a group that currently has 13 players on the roster.
But he'll have a chance to earn his way, and he's proven to be a fierce competitor.
"I mean, it all matters. Yeah, it matters," Callahan said of Restrepo's 40 time. "But I think you see the football player and you see this speed that he plays with when he plays. I wouldn't have thought that would have been the time that he ran. But that's how you go from a potential draft pick to being an undrafted free agent at the end of the day. And he's got a lot to prove and I'm excited to see him do it.
"Xavier's been a really productive college player. I mean, you look at all the names of receivers that have played at the University of Miami and he's at the top, which is impressive. He might not necessarily be the biggest or the fastest player that's probably ever come out of Miami, but he's been incredibly productive and he has found ways to play football the right way. So he'll start out as a slot player for us and he'll have every chance to compete just like everybody else will. But you just look at his production and what he's done as a football player and he puts himself in pretty good position to be competitive. And even though he didn't run the fastest time in the world, I'm excited to see what he can do."
