How Jaguars' LB Foye Oluokun is playing key role with implementation of new defense

USA Today

18 hours ago

How Jaguars' LB Foye Oluokun is playing key role with implementation of new defense How Jaguars' LB Foye Oluokun is playing a key role in the implementation of the new defensive system.
As the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense learns a new scheme under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, linebacker Foye Oluokun has played a valuable role in implementing the new system.
"The pro's pro," Liam Coen said of Oluokun. "He's early to every meeting, sitting down, ready to go. Communicates out there at a really high level. Wants to understand the intent behind each call. He asks phenomenal questions in the meeting room settings, especially when the entire defense is in there.
Oluokun is entering his eighth NFL season and has made an impact on the Jaguars' defense in a variety of ways. In 2023, he ranked 13th in run stops among all linebackers. Oluokun has also been an effective blitzer and provided a coverage element at the linebacker position as well.
That well-rounded skill set can provide Campanile with a lot of flexibility from a game planning perspective with what he asks Oluokun to do.
Last season, we saw strong play from the Green Bay Packers' linebacker unit under Campanile. Rookie Edgerrin Cooper was one of PFF's highest-graded linebackers overall and was a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and he was the NFC Rookie of the Month in December.
Fourth-year linebacker Quay Walker had arguably his best season and, prior to a Week 15 ankle injury, was on a four-game stretch where he ranked among the best at the linebacker position in pressures, yards per catch allowed, and run stops, according to PFF's metrics.
"Some of the things he brings up really forces engagement within the whole group--the coaches, the players, different position groups," Coen said of Oluokun. "I just think he has a really nice way of communicating things that he may not understand, that maybe other people are not understanding. It just brings collaborative communication together that, like I said, he's a pro's pro."
Just like on the offense under Coen, multiplicity will be a fundamental element on the defensive side of the ball with Campanile. This means having a malleable system that molds to the skill sets that are on the roster and one that is quick to adjust based on what the opponent is doing. In order to have that flexibility, having a versatile presence in the middle, like Oluokun can provide, is an important component.