Oluwafemi Oladejo LB/EDGE UCLA | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Oluwafemi Oladejo LB/EDGE UCLA
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 02/05/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PLAY STYLE: BOX LB | |
Last Updated: 02/05/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.70 seconds (53%*) | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 81.9 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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75% |
Pass Rush: |
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64% |
Run Defense: |
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80% |
Coverage: |
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73% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
7th
Overall Rank:
#225
Position rank:
#20
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College Games: 45 College Snaps: 1937 |
Draft Profile: Bio
From the football fields of Elk Grove to becoming a defensive force at UCLA, Oluwafemi Oladejo's journey epitomizes the modern hybrid defender. His path began at Cal, where he emerged as a tackling machine, notching 91 stops in 2022 while displaying the football IQ and athleticism that would later fuel his transformation. The former three-star recruit from Cosumnes Oaks High School brought a two-way player's mentality to the collegiate level, having excelled at both defensive end and tight end during his prep career.After transferring to UCLA, Oladejo's trajectory took an fascinating turn when the coaching staff recognized his potential as an edge defender. The position switch proved masterful - he racked up 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2024 while earning the Kenny Clark Award as UCLA's top defensive lineman. Not just excelling on the field, he demonstrated similar dedication in the classroom, earning spots on both the Big Ten Academic Honor Roll and UCLA Athletic Director's Honor Roll.
His development peaked at the Senior Bowl, where he turned heads with two sacks and consistently disruptive play off the edge. That performance, combined with his regular season production, showcased the rapid evolution from off-ball linebacker to legitimate edge defender, setting the stage for his NFL future.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Shows rare cornering ability for a converted linebacker, displaying the ankle flexion and hip mobility to flatten to the QB at sharp angles
- Brings linebacker-trained vision to the edge position, diagnosing run schemes and flow patterns with veteran savvy
- Unleashes violent hands at the point of attack, consistently jolting tackles backward with his initial punch
- Closes space like a heat-seeking missile, showing explosive acceleration when breaking down runners in the backfield
- Cross-chop has developed into a go-to move, executed with professional timing and devastating effect
- Plays with the kind of relentless motor that makes offensive coordinators account for him on every snap
- Coverage instincts from linebacker days translate beautifully to zone drops and simulated pressure packages
- Shows nasty demeanor taking on blocks, refusing to stay engaged and fighting through traffic with controlled violence
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Pass rush arsenal remains a work in progress - needs to develop counters when speed rush gets stonewalled
- Gets caught playing too high, allowing longer tackles to control his chest and steer him past the pocket
- Still learning to time his moves, occasionally showing his hand too early and giving tackles the advantage
- Anchor strength needs work - can get displaced by double teams when he doesn't play with proper leverage
- Must develop better peripheral vision to pick up pulling linemen and split-zone actions in the run game
Scouting Report: Summary
The NFL transition won't be seamless for Oladejo, but his versatility offers intriguing possibilities for a patient coaching staff. His experience at both linebacker and edge creates options in sub-packages, particularly on passing downs where his ability to rush or drop into coverage can keep offenses guessing. The Iowa game showed flashes - two sacks and multiple pressures - but also highlighted his rawness when taking on Power-5 tackles.The learning curve from UCLA's scheme to NFL complexity will be steep. While Oladejo's shown impressive growth moving from linebacker to edge, his pass rush toolbox remains limited and his pad level inconsistent. Special teams will be his ticket to making a roster, where his combination of size and straight-line speed should make him an immediate contributor in coverage units.
A seventh-round investment feels right for a developmental prospect of this mold. His athletic traits and multi-position background will intrigue teams looking to groom depth at edge rusher, but expectations need to be tempered. Success at the next level hinges entirely on landing with a staff willing to be patient through the growing pains while he develops the technical refinement his game desperately needs.
How other scouting services rate Oluwafemi Oladejo (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
190.8
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
22.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.