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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
How Jaguars' LB Foye Oluokun is playing key role with implementation of new defense
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.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Former Texas A&M star and Green Bay LB makes PFF's Top 10 Linebacker List
Former Texas A&M star and Green Bay LB makes PFF's Top 10 Linebacker List Texas A&M has produced several top defenders over the decades, and the latest standout is Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper. Pro Football Focus (PFF) recently released its Top 32 linebacker rankings for the 2025 football season. The usual top contenders, including Fred Warner, Bobby Wagner, and Roquan Smith, made the list. However, former Aggie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper's strong finish to the 2024 season turned heads, putting him on the fast track for a starting role this upcoming NFL season. The second-round pick earned multiple accolades, including NFC Defensive Player of the Week and NFC Rookie of the Month. He has all the makings of a future Pro Bowler and a cornerstone of the Packers' defense as he plays out his rookie contract. Cooper closed out his rookie season with 57 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one interception. Things are just getting started for the young defensive phenom, and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes in his career. Below, you can see the top 10 of 32 from PFF's official X account: Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Jarrett Johnson on X: @whosnextsports1.
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
This Jaguars defender will benefit greatly from hiring Anthony Campanile
Of course, the hope and expectation is that the entire Jacksonville Jaguars defense will benefit from the addition of Anthony Campanile as the new defensive coordinator. However, given Campanile's coaching background and track record, one player in particular may really benefit from this hire: linebacker Devin Lloyd. Lloyd is coming off a season where was a very sound tackler, making 106 of his 111 attempts, according to PFF, which resulted in him being a reliable run defender as well. Among eligible linebackers, Lloyd ranked ninth in run defense grade. In coverage, that sound tackling ability helped Lloyd limit yards after the catch and he also recorded one pass breakup and an interception. Campanile joins the Jaguars having been a linebackers coach in the NFL since the 2020 season. Those first four seasons came in Miami, and the most recent one in Green Bay. Under Campanile's guidance, we saw steady progression from the entire Packers' linebacker room this past year. Rookie Edgerrin Cooper was one of PFF's highest-graded linebackers overall and was a two-time NFC Defensive Player of the Week, Decembers NFC Rookie of the Month, and was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. 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. With Campanile having such a diverse coaching background having operated in a variety of schemes, we don't exactly know what his system in Jacksonville will look like. But the on-field results from Campanile's former players speak for itself and his ability to put the linebackers in a position to be successful each week. In addition to that, having coached in different defensive schemes that include blitz heavy operations, the usage of simulated pressures, and an emphasis on disguising coverages, Lloyd can be a real chess piece and weapon in the middle of Campanile's defense.
