Femi Oladejo Just Scratching Surface Of Immense Potential

Switching positions at any point for college athletes can be difficult, but most get a full offseason to practice and get more comfortable with the transition. Not UCLA EDGE Oluwafemi (Femi) Oladejo. He began the 2024 season as an off-ball linebacker, but two games into the season, he switched to EDGE for the betterment of the football team and himself, and it was easy to see that’s where he belonged. He wasn’t a player on many radars before the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. But when he left, the impression he made stuck around, and he’s looking to carry that momentum with him while he’s at the NFL Combine.

With the experience he gained playing as an off-ball linebacker, he will be one of the more unique and versatile players at his position in the draft, and he talked about how that was an important aspect to him. Being able to do whatever is asked of him at a high level with a strong motor and relentless effort is at the top of his list of things he wants to show NFL teams. While the transition wasn’t seamless, he had this to say about an easier part: "Run defense was an easy transition because of my length and natural power.” 

That also showed up on tape; he showed natural instincts for finding the football and had the tools to do so. He mentioned that his playing weight as a linebacker was closer to 250 pounds. Still, after he transitioned to EDGE, he regained his more natural and comfortable weight of 260 pounds, which he carries extremely well.

He said one of the hardest parts about the pre-draft process is being patient, and it's understandable with his motor running hot at all times. He never gives up on plays and works tirelessly to ensure he can impact the game significantly. The more difficult part of the transition for him has been the pass rush side, as it wasn’t at the forefront of his impact as a linebacker, but he mentioned that he played EDGE in high school and the pass rush will come with time. He has the traits, physically and mentally, to rush the passer at a high level, but he emphasized how he’s been working with striking bags in Dallas during the pre-draft process to better his hands and timing.

I expect Oladejo to test very well at the combine. While listening to him talk, I noticed he was well-prepared and easy to listen to. He had a clear thought process and oozed charisma. NFL coaches and GMs likely loved to talk to this guy, and when you turn the tape on, with his effort and natural talent, the only place for him to go is up. 

He strives to have the right mindset to keep fighting to improve and trust his teammates and coaches to put him in the right spot to succeed. The upside with Oladejo is through the roof not only on the field but off of it, too, and those are the kinds of players NFL organizations want in their buildings.