By Mike Bonts, Florida Sports Wire
JACKSONVILLE – Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun was signed by Jacksonville as an unrestricted free agent last season. He immediately emerged as a team leader, a trait that has continued during training camp.
“I like our communication right now. We still have a whole bunch of plays out there, but for us, it’s about matching what we got so we can start expecting what they got,” Oluokun said after Monday’s practice. “Being able to just switch a blitz pattern or switch in coverage or something. Being able to be on the same page. That’s what’s important at this point of the season so we can play faster when the real season starts.”
Originally drafted by Atlanta in the sixth round and 200th overall in the 2018 draft, Oluokun outlined his personal goals for the upcoming season.
“Win more games, do whatever I need to help the team win. I could be a better tackler; I could be a better facilitator out there. I could break better for sure. I could understand coverages better. There’s room for me to grow. Everyday I’m coming out here trying to improve my game, trying to prove that I’m still growing in this league and becoming a better player, and that’s all I’m focused on right now for the team.”
2022 was big for Oluokun, who had two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two sacks, 184 tackles, 128 solo and 12 tackles for loss. He is looking forward to an expanded defensive playbook.
“We’ve got to be able to grow. If you’re not growing, you’re dying. I learned that in college (Yale). Whatever he (defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell) feels like is a better look for us to be staying successful out there, we put all our trust in him. Being able to be multiple but being able to master what we put out onto the field I think is what’s most important.”
Oluokun earned team captain honors in his first season with the Jaguars and led the league in tackles for the second straight year.
“I think on third downs, tackling is very paramount. Being able to check the ball down and being able to own your leverages and stuff. Understanding where our help is, understanding where our leverage is. That’s important, just being able to get out on the field, you’ve got to be able to tackle better. Then, it gives the ball back to our offense quicker, so tackling is important.”
The Jaguars are expected to play some starters when they open the NFL preseason Saturday against the Dallas Cowboys in Texas.
“Whatever they tell me, I’m doing. I like playing, getting the field of a game again, being out there with my boys, communicating and stuff, getting that trust with everybody. I understand that it’s a long season though, I am 28 now somehow, yeah that’s crazy. But I’m ready, whatever or however many games it takes, I’m ready to do it. That’s why they brought me here, playing football is what I do,” Oluokun said.
CAMP INJURY UPDATE (www.jaguars.com): Starting cornerback Tyson Campbell missed practice for a second consecutive day with a concussion sustained in practiced Wednesday and remains in the concussion protocol. Defensive lineman Dawuane Smoot (Achilles) and left guard Ben Bartch (knee) remain on the Physically Unable to Perform list to start camp.
