When UCLA linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo went to Nigeria for the first time in nearly 13 years over the summer, he showed his friends and family videos of him slipping and dodging opposing players or thrusting them to the ground. “I was showing videos and they’re like, ‘What’s the point of that? You guys are hurting yourself, basically,’” Oladejo said. “So they don’t understand it.
Some do, but most don’t.” True to his optimistic self, he continued training and working out while abroad while football remained largely unmentioned. He came back to Southern California refreshed and ready to rejoin a UCLA pass rush that was equally starting anew.
The Bruins ranked 10th nationally in total defense at the end of last season, allowing an average of 301.5 yards per game. Additionally, they had the No.
2 rushing defense with just 80.8 yards allowed per game and averaged 3.31 sacks per game, which was fifth-best in the country.
Players like edge rusher Laiatu Latu, defensive ends Gabriel Murphy and Grayson Murphy as well as linebacker Darius Muasau were all critical components of that aggressive defense. All four moved on to earn roster spots in the NFL, forcing UCLA’s defense to rebuild. “I feel like a lot of us are looked at as like a ragtag group just put together,” defensive lineman Devin Aupiu told reporters during fall camp.
“But it definitely adds a motivational factor for us to go get it and be our own players, be our own type of group and create the same pass rush, just in a different way.” The duality of Femi Oladejo, also known as “Femi,” is one of multiple players who could be shuffled around the field at different positions and has spent time learning how to play edge at the college level throughout fall camp. He finished the 2023 season with 54 total tackles and recorded multiple tackles in every game except for one.
His 6-foot-3, 250-pound frame moves around the field smoothly and fearlessly, but its his athleticism that allows him to oscillate between the linebacker and edge rusher. His cheerful disposition helps, too. Oladejo crashes into whatever is opposite of him with startling physicality, testing the seams of tackling dummies and the will of human opponents.
Every tackle is a crescendo, but his attitude off the field is gentle. “Right off the first approach, people are intimidated,” Oladejo said. “But as I start speaking a few sentences, I see people kind of warm up a little bit more.
” There’s a video on social media of Oladejo rallying his team after a weight room workout, getting his teammates to chant, “Don’t cheat yourself, treat yourself” with him. He’s thoughtful and well-spoken with the media as well as his team, which has earned him respect ever since he transferred from Cal Berkeley ahead of the 2023 season. Oladejo says he’s always been a vocal person — a trait that was amplified when he shouted out directions as a power forward in basketball, which he played since he was 9 years old.
His positivity stems from his faith. His first name translates to “God loves me,” his middle name is Moses and he had always attended church growing up, but his religious journey didn’t truly begin until he was baptized in the Pacific Ocean while at Cal. He’s now a signatory for Chosen Campus Ministry at UCLA.
“Faith isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision,” he said. “It’s based on what you do, so I started living it out. I’ve just been a cheerful guy, having a good spirit.
Bringing good energy to people and just letting people know they can do it. It’s believing in people, being a good person.” Pass-rushing as a team Oladejo’s infectious positivity is being spread to multiple position groups.
His versatility could also improve his stock as a potential NFL Draft pick. He’s not the only one who will move around the field. “We’ve got some great pieces,” defensive line/outside linebackers coach Tony Washington Jr.
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J. Harden is ready to go the distance “We’re starting to figure out who can do what and moving some guys around a little bit, trying to figure out who can play with who, switching up the groupings. They’re not always used to the same people next to them but overall I like how they’ve been responding.
” While coaches have not indicated specific multi-position players aside from Oladejo, they have pointed out some driving forces of the defense. Washington said that defensive lineman Jay Toia is “a dog on the field” and defensive coordinator Ikaika Malloe believes the depth at linebacker will be an asset. Kain Medrano, Ale Kaho, JonJon Vaughns and Carson Schwesinger are all returning linebackers with significant playing experience.
“Pass rush is an art that people overlook,” Malloe said. “We pass rush as a team so everybody can learn the same thing and speak the same languages. If we can get better at that, then those fundamentals can transfer over to the team regardless of our scheme.
” Oladejo’s beautiful violence is a brushstroke in the art of the pass rush. The duality that’s been shaped by his faith and revisiting the culture of Nigeria makes him one major piece of the UCLA defense..
