ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler put together his ranking of the top 10 linebackers entering the 2025 season. No longer included in the top 10 is Jacksonville Jaguars’ linebacker Foyesade Oluokun.
What makes Fowler’s ranking unique compared to others is that insights from NFL execs, coaches, and scouts play a key role in determining who makes the list.
At this time last year, Oluokun came in at No. 10. This year, he is on the outside looking in as an honorable mention.
“Oluokun joins the list of Jaguars players coming off disappointing seasons, as the linebacker missed four games with a foot injury suffered in Week 3 against the Bills and struggled to make an impact following his return,” wrote Fowler. “The soon-to-be 30-year-old Oluokun is still viewed among the game’s top tacklers and has a chance to return to the Top 10 with a healthier year.”
As mentioned, Oluokun has piled up a ton of tackles in his career, and he’s also been an effective blitzer. That tackling ability has helped him make an impact in the run game, which includes ranking 13th among all linebackers in run stops in 2023.
And although quarterbacks have been efficient targeting Oluokun in coverage, he’s limited pass catchers to just over 9.0 yards per catch over the last three seasons.
“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.”
New defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile’s coaching background is rooted in the linebacker position. He’s also bringing a similar defensive scheme to Jacksonville that helped elevate the play of Packers’ linebackers Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper last season.
The entire defense will benefit from the addition of Campanile and his system, but the Jaguars’ linebackers in particular may be impacted the most.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars’ Foye Oluokun falls in latest LB rankings from NFL execs, coaches
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Jaguars Wire / Jaguars Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
