The 2025 Senior Bowl will provide an opportunity for NFL draft prospects to prove themselves on the largest pre-draft stage. UCLA EDGE Femi Oladejo plans on taking full advantage. Oladejo recently spoke exclusively with the Senior Bowl and Draft Network to discuss his motivation for accepting his invitation to compete in Mobile, Alabama.
Oladejo also discussed what he's striving to prove to NFL general managers and scouts in attendance at the Senior Bowl, his transition from off-ball linebacker to EDGE defender, how he’d write his own scouting report, and more. Let's get to know Oladejo better ahead of his journey to the Senior Bowl.
JM: Where were you when you found out about your Senior Bowl invite and what was your initial reaction?
Femi Oladejo: I had a pretty good idea the invite was coming. I was actually in the movie theater when I found it. We were in a team movie, watching Gladiator II together. My agent told me I was getting the invite. I believed him (laughs).
I was so thankful, man. It was surreal. I’m thankful for the opportunity, but I still have to go out there and prove myself. I’m still excited right now. I was watching Gladiator II when I found out (laughs).
JM: That’s a great story (laughs). What motivated you to accept the Senior Bowl’s offer?
Femi Oladejo: I want to compete with the best of the best, all across the country. The Big Ten, the SEC, ACC, FCS, everybody is going to be in attendance. I want to prove myself alongside those prospects.
JM: What are you hoping to prove to NFL general managers, coaching staffs, and scouts in attendance in Mobile?
Femi Oladejo: I’m a high-character guy first and foremost. I’m sharp mentally. I’m spiritual. I possess the mental capabilities necessary to play this game at a high level. My physical abilities speak for themselves.
A big asset of mine is versatility. I played MIKE linebacker for the first three years of my college football career, and the first three games of this past season. I moved the EDGE three games into the season. I didn’t have a training camp or even spring ball to acclimate to a new position. Despite that, I produced at EDGE. I was third in the conference in TFLs [tackles for loss]. I think that speaks for itself.
I’m a man of God. I’m grounded, I’m faith-based, and smart. I treat my body well. I don’t drink or smoke.
I love football at the end of the day, man. I’d die for this game. I put so much work and effort into this. The list goes on and on, but that’s what I’m excited to prove to NFL evaluators in Mobile.
JM: We’re excited for you. I want to talk about your skill set because it’s so interesting that you switched from off-ball linebacker to EDGE in the middle of the season. You talked about the TFLs, and you also had 4.5 sacks. You looked like a natural.
Femi Oladejo: Talk to me, Justin! There it goes. “Natural.” That’s the word. Just imagine what I’m going to look like when I develop. Just imagine I had a training camp. I wasn’t mad about making the switch because I had already considered it going into the season.
I was “overweight” for a MIKE linebacker because there aren’t many 255-pound MIKEs in the game anymore. I could still play MIKE at a high level, but where am I most effective? The answer was out on the edge.
We made it happen.
JM: So you’re going through this pre-draft process as a full-time edge now?
Femi Oladejo: That’s my mindset, but I also feel like I can still showcase the ability to play MIKE if that’s what a team wants to see from me.
JM: Your pass-rush arsenal is still developing, but what are some of the moves you relied on this past season?
Femi Oladejo: I had to find a move I could rely on and for me, that was the cross-chop. I have power and length. I have a unique build. I’m nearly 6-foot-4, 260 pounds. Most people think I play like I’m 240. I have speed and power. The speed is there, but so is the power. The go-to move is the cross-chop. I like to counter with a spin move, and I love the bull rush as well.
JM: We love watching you rush the passer on tape. Anybody you’re looking forward to swapping jerseys with at the next level?
Femi Oladejo: I never really thought about that, but guys I played with like Elijah Hicks come to mind. I was just texting Arik Armstead. He’s been a great mentor. I’m pulling into my apartment right now and [LSU EDGE] Sai’Vion Jones is here as well. He’s coming to the Senior Bowl too! Say what’s up, Sai’Vion!
I’m excited, man. Lamar Jackson, the defensive back from Sacramento comes to mind. Taron Johnson is from Sacramento. I just talked to Shaq Thompson last week. Carl Granderson, these guys I came up with. I’m so thankful to call them mentors. They taught me the game. I’m thankful I have so many great people in my life that are currently playing at a high level.
JM: Those are so many great people to have in your life. Fun question before we let you go. What’s on Femi Oladejo’s pre-game playlist?
Femi Oladejo: It varies. I might walk into the stadium playing gospel music, something really mello. I don’t like to get my mind too high or too low. When we go out for pre-game stretches, I might turn up a little bit and play some rap and some afrobeats. I come back to gospel right before the game for the calm before the storm. It’s go time.
JM: This has been outstanding. I’ve had a lot of fun with you today. At the end of the week, what does a successful Senior Bowl look like for Femi Oladejo?
Femi Oladejo: It means I dominated. I dominated my one-on-ones and during the team period. If I play the MIKE, I want to dominate there as well. I want to leave a good impression. I’m going to be a charismatic dude. I’m a natural, vocal leader.
I’m versatile. I love my teammates and I’m a good communicator. I’m going to be a great asset to an NFL organization.
