The Jacksonville Jaguars have a handful of players who routinely get the national spotlight. Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr. are among the most prominent ones. But there are a few others who are equally valuable and don't get nearly as much recognition. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun most definitely fits the bill.
Oluokun signed with the Jags in 2022 and has been one of the team's most consistent defenders ever since, posting four straight 100-tackle seasons. Linebackers coach Tem Lukabo has witnessed just how hard the former Yale standout has worked to get where he is and is thrilled to have him.
Foyesade Oluokun is the fuel that keeps the Jaguars defense running
Tem Lukabo had a sitdown with the local media and heaped praise on Foyesade Oluokun, noting that the veteran linebacker's level of preparation allows him to focus on other things in practice.
"Yeah, how important is he to the other players? Yeah, with him, it's a complete player. You're talking about on the grass, off the grass, he does it all," (5:22 mark). "There's just things that I know as the linebacker coach that I don't have to worry about, because he's going to take care of me. It just allows me to focus on the real issues, rather than, you know, for example, I've been in places where we're so young that, as the position coach, I'm doing step A through Z."
Lukabo continued, "Here it's alright. Here's the plan. I know they're going to watch it. I know Bo is going to have them watching it together before they watch it, you know, so there's just layers in there that not everybody has in every building."
Earlier in the exchange, Lukabo stated that he wished he had more players like Oluokun throughout his coaching career because of how consistent he is.
"This guy is taken for granted because he's one of the most consistent people, consistent players, most intentional people that you'll ever see, and I hope, I hope, and pray that I have another five of them in my career, some guys don't have a guy that's this consistent, and it's just a reminder to me, a lesson to me, like, hey, you got one of those guys now, let's make sure we're making it count while we have him," Lukabo said.
Oluokun originally got a three-year, $45 million deal from the Jaguars. They then gave him a three-year extension that ensures he stays in Jacksonville through 2027.
The Jaguars aren't taking Foyesade Oluokun for granted
Leaving aside that Foye Oluokun is a defensive mainstay, he's been a prominent locker room voice. In fact, he's been named team captain each of his four seasons with the Jaguars. Only Trevor Lawrence and Brandon Linder have had the distinction more times (five each).
It's not often that you have that kind of difference-maker on and off the field, which is why Oluokun is such a valuable player. But as good as he is, he's somehow been snubbed from the Pro Bowl. Perhaps he'll achieve the feat in his second season under defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.
Foyesade Oluokun is now entering his fifth season with the Jaguars. He'll be one of the many reasons they have a legitimate change to make the playoffs two years in a row for the first time since 1998-1999.
