Foyesade Oluokun

{{Short description|American football player (born 1995)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Foyesade Oluokun

| image = Foyesade Oluokun, May 2021.jpg

| image_size =

| alt =

| caption = Foyesade Oluokun in 2021

| current_team = Jacksonville Jaguars

| number = 23

| position = Linebacker

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|8|2}}

| birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 2

| weight_lb = 230

| high_school = John Burroughs {{avoid wrap|(Ladue, Missouri)}}

| college = Yale (2013–2017)

| draftyear = 2018

| draftround = 6

| draftpick = 200

| pastteams =

| status = Active

| highlights =

| statleague = NFL

| statseason = 2024

| statweek =

| statlabel1 = Total tackles

| statvalue1 = 927

| statlabel2 = Sacks

| statvalue2 = 10.5

| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles

| statvalue3 = 10

| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue4 = 6

| statlabel5 = Interceptions

| statvalue5 = 7

| statlabel6 = Pass deflections

| statvalue6 = 29

| statlabel7 = Defensive touchdowns

| statvalue7 = 1

| pfr = OluoFo00

}}

Foyesade "Foye" Oluokun (born August 2, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Yale Bulldogs, and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft.

Early life

Oluokun attended Forsyth School, an elementary school in Clayton, Missouri, where he played basketball, soccer and other outdoor activities. He began playing football at John Burroughs School,{{Cite web |title=Foyesade Oluokun, John Burroughs School, Safety |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Foyesade-Oluokun-46055184/high-school-216872/ |access-date=October 30, 2020 |website=247Sports |language=en-US}} where he was a standout on special teams with future Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.{{Cite web |last=McClure |first=Vaughn |date=September 18, 2020 |title=How Ezekiel Elliott, Foyesade Oluokun once paired to make 'video game' plays with 'cheat code' |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/35572/how-ezekiel-elliott-foyesade-oluokun-once-paired-to-make-video-game-plays-with-cheat-code |access-date=October 30, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

College career

Oluokun played college football for Yale. He tore a pectoral muscle as a junior and was granted an extra semester.{{Cite news |last=McClure |first=Vaughn |date=May 18, 2018 |title=Falcons' Foyesade Oluokun out to validate Ivy Leaguers in NFL |work=ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/71572/falcons-foyesade-oluokun-out-to-validate-ivy-leaguers-in-nfl |access-date=January 4, 2020}} As a senior, he was a second-team all-Ivy League selection. He received a degree in economics from Yale,{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/32275/falcons-foyesade-oluokun-out-to-validate-ivy-leaguers-in-nfl |title=Falcons' Foyesade Oluokun out to validate Ivy Leaguers in NFL|date=May 18, 2018|first1=Vaughn|last1=McClure|publisher=ESPN}} and declared for the 2018 NFL draft after the 2017 season. Oluokun noted that NFL front offices tend to assume that Ivy League players are a lower caliber of athletes, requiring him to work harder to prove his ability to play professionally.

Professional career

=Pre-draft=

Oluokun did not receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. On March 8, 2018, Oluokun participated at a Pro Day held at Yale and completed all of the combine drills. Oluokun's time of 4.48 in the 40-yard dash would’ve finished sixth among linebackers at the combine and his time of 4.12 in the short shuttle would’ve been the second-best among linebackers. Oluokun attended pre-draft visits with multiple teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts.{{Cite web |last=Jacobs |first=Jeff |date=April 21, 2018 |title=Oluokun could follow Yale's dream season to NFL draft |url=https://ctpost.com/sports/jeffjacobs/article/Jeff-Jacobs-Oluokun-could-follow-Yale-s-dream-12854143.php |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=ctpost.com}} At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Oluokun was projected to be a seventh round pick by the majority of NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked as the 20th best linebacker in the draft by DraftScout.com.

{{nfl predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 1 7/8

| weight = 229

| dash = 4.48

| ten split = 1.60

| twenty split = 2.69

| shuttle = 4.12

| cone drill = 6.94

| vertical = 37

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 3

| bench = 18

| wonderlic =

| arm span = 32 1/2

| hand span = 8 3/4

| note = All values from Pro Day{{Cite web |title=Foyesade Oluokun, Yale, OLB, 2018 NFL Draft Scout, NCAA College Football |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=129927&DraftYear=2018 |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=DraftScout.com}}

}}

=Atlanta Falcons=

The Atlanta Falcons selected Oluokun in the sixth round (200th overall) of the 2018 NFL draft.{{Cite web |title=2018 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2018/draft.htm |access-date=January 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Oluokun was the 27th linebacker drafted in 2018.{{Cite web |date=April 28, 2018 |title=Falcons Select Foyesade Oluokun |url=http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/2018-NFL-Draft-Falcons-select-Foyesade-Oluokun-in-sixth-round/0aeb0873-8b8d-44fd-a715-b44bec791f24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180501205731/http://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/article-1/2018-NFL-Draft-Falcons-select-Foyesade-Oluokun-in-sixth-round/0aeb0873-8b8d-44fd-a715-b44bec791f24 |archive-date=May 1, 2018 |access-date=May 13, 2018 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}} Oluokun was the 48th Yale player picked in a professional football draft and the first in the NFL draft since Shane Bannon in 2011.{{Cite web |title=Yale Drafted Players/Alumni |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/yale/drafted.htm |access-date=January 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

{{external media

| video1 =

[http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/0ap3000000930051/Falcons-select-Foyesade-Oluokun-No-200-in-the-2018-NFL-Draft Falcons draft Foyesade Oluokun 200th overall]

}}

==2018 season==

On May 9, 2018, the Falcons signed Oluokun to a four-year, $2.60 million contract with a signing bonus of $146,629.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Foyesade Oluokun contract |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/foyesade-oluokun-25301/ |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=Spotrac.com}}

Oluokun entered training camp slated to be a backup linebacker and special teams player.{{Cite web |last=McClure |first=Vaughn |date=August 22, 2018 |title=Calvin Ridley as good as advertised so far for Falcons |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/post/_/id/32647/calvin-ridley-as-good-as-advertised-so-far-for-falcons |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=ESPN.com}} He impressed coaches with his athleticism and tackling ability during camp and began competing against Duke Riley to be the starting weakside linebacker.{{Cite web |last=VanDyke |first=Gary |date=August 24, 2018 |title=Foyesade Oluokun emerging as starting option |url=https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/news/172409/foyesade-oluokun-emerging-starting-option.php |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=fantasypros.com}} Head coach Dan Quinn named Oluokun a backup middle linebacker, behind Deion Jones, to begin the regular season.{{Cite web |last=Parks |first=James |date=September 14, 2018 |title=Falcons reveal depth chart vs. Panthers |url=https://247sports.com/nfl/atlanta-falcons/ContentGallery/Atlanta-Falcons-Week-2-depth-chart-121436910/ |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=247sports.com}}

He made his professional regular season debut in the Falcons' season-opener at the Philadelphia Eagles and made one tackle during their 18–12 loss. On October 7, 2018, Oluokun earned his first career start and recorded five combined tackles as the Falcons lost 41–17 at the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 5. In Week 6, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles (seven solo) during a 34–29 victory against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished his rookie season in 2018 with 91 combined tackles (56 solo), one pass deflection, and one forced fumble in 16 games and seven starts.{{Cite web |title=Foyesade Oluokun 2018 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OluoFo00/gamelog/2018/ |access-date=January 2, 2022 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} He received an overall grade of 64.6 from Pro Football Focus, 46th among qualifying linebackers in 2018.{{Cite web |title=Pro Football Focus: Foyesade Oluokun |url=https://www.profootballfocus.com/nfl/players/foyesade-oluokun/24904 |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=profootballfocus.com}}

File:Foyesade Oluokun.png

==2019 season==

Throughout training camp, Oluokun competed against Duke Riley, Stephone Anthony, Bruce Carter, and Jermaine Grace for a role as a backup linebacker.{{cite web| title=Falcons Season Preview: Best And Worst Case For Atlanta In 2019| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rayglier/2019/08/27/atlanta-falcons-nfl-season-preview/ |access-date=December 28, 2024 |website=Forbes.com |date=August 27, 2019 |author=Ray Glier}} Head coach Dan Quinn elected to have Oluokun begin the season the third linebacker on the depth chart, behind starting linebackers De'Vondre Campbell and Deion Jones. Vic Beasley acted as the third linebacker while being labeled a defensive end/edge rusher.{{cite web| title=Falcons Depth Chart: Starting Right Tackle, Left Guard left undecided| url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-depth-chart-starting-right-tackle-position-undecided|date=September 3, 2019 |website=Falcons.com}}

In Week 10, Oluokun earned his first start of the season at inside linebacker and recorded a season-high seven solo tackles (eight total) in a 26–9 win at the New Orleans Saints.{{cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints - November 10th, 2019 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201911100nor.htm |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference}}

On December 8, 2019, he collected a season-high 11 combined tackles (six solo) during a 40–20 victory against the Carolina Panthers. He completed his sophomore season in 2019 with 62 combined tackles (35 solo), two tackles for-a-loss, and a forced fumble in 16 games and three starts.{{cite web| title=Pro-Football-Reference: Foyesade Oluokun stats (2019) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OluoFo00.htm |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=Pro Football Reference}} The Atlanta Falcons finished second in the NFC South and did not qualify for a playoff berth after finishing the 2019 NFL season 7–9.

==2020 season==

He entered training camp slated to takeover as a starting outside linebacker after De'Vondre Campbell departed in free agency.{{cite web| title=Cover 9@9: Deion Jones backs Oluokun promotion| url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/atlanta-falcons/cover-deion-jones-backs-move-oluokun/RLUq8AblgH4QJdOWpxKfqK/ |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=AJC.com |author=Orlando Ledbetter |date=June 10, 2020}} Head coach Dan Quinn promoted secondary coach Raheem Morris to defensive coordinator and handed over the defensive play calling duties. On August 20, 2020, the Falcons placed Oluokun on the reserve/COVID-19 list and returned after three days.{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=August 2, 2020 |title=Falcons place Foye Oluokun on reserve/COVID-19 list, release Ryan Allen, waive four others |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-place-foye-oluokun-on-reserve-covid-19-list-release-ryan-allen-waive-fou |access-date=October 30, 2020 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com}}{{Cite web |last=McFadden |first=Will |date=August 5, 2020 |title=Falcons activate three players from reserve/COVID-19 list |url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-activate-three-players-from-reserve-covid-19-list |access-date=August 10, 2020 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807143218/https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-activate-three-players-from-reserve-covid-19-list |url-status=dead }} Morris selected Oluokun and Deion Jones as the starting linebackers with Dante Fowler Jr. alongside as an edge rusher.{{cite web| title=Falcons release first depth chart of 2020 season| url=https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/falcons-release-first-depth-chart-of-2020-season |access-date=December 27, 2024 |website=AtlantaFalcons.com |date=September 3, 2020 |author=Kelsey Conway}}

In Week 2 of the 2020 season against the Dallas Cowboys, Oluokun forced two fumbles on consecutive drives in the first quarter; both were recovered by the Falcons, who lost 40–39.{{Cite web |date=September 20, 2020 |title=Cowboys' rally stuns Falcons 40-39 in McCarthy's home debut |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401220249 |access-date=September 20, 2020 |website=ESPN.com |agency=Associated Press}} In Week 6 against the Minnesota Vikings, Oluokun recorded his first career interception off a pass thrown by Kirk Cousins during the 40–23 win.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings – October 18th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202010180min.htm |access-date=October 22, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 9 against the Denver Broncos, Oluokun recorded 10 tackles, one pass deflection, and recorded his first career sack on Drew Lock during the 34–27 win. Oluokun was named National Football Conference (NFC) Defensive Player of the Week.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Grant |date=November 11, 2020 |title=Vikings RB Dalvin Cook, Bills QB Josh Allen lead Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/players-of-the-week-dalvin-cook-josh-allen-jeffery-simmons-foye-oluokun |access-date=November 11, 2020 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}

In Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders, Oluokun strip-sacked Derek Carr; the ball was recovered by teammate Jacob Tuioti-Mariner during the 43–6 win.{{Cite web |title=Las Vegas Raiders at Atlanta Falcons – November 29th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202011290atl.htm |access-date=December 3, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 16 against the Chiefs, Oluokun intercepted a pass thrown by Patrick Mahomes and made a 51-yard return during the 17–14 loss.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs - December 27th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012270kan.htm |access-date=December 27, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

==2021 season==

Before the season began, new head coach Arthur Smith moved Oluokun to the starting MIKE linebacker position.{{Cite web |last=Glaze |first=Everett |date=August 11, 2021 |title=Why moving Foye Oluokun to the MIKE is good for the defense |url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2021/8/11/22618502/why-moving-foye-oluokun-to-the-mike-is-good-for-the-defense |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=The Falcoholic |language=en}}

In Week 3 against the New York Giants, Oluokun recorded 14 tackles in the 17–14 win.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at New York Giants - September 26th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202109260nyg.htm |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 6 against the Miami Dolphins, Oluokun recorded 13 tackles and an interception in the 30–28 win.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins - October 24th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202110240mia.htm |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 7 against the Carolina Panthers, Oluokun had a career-high 16 tackles in the 13–19 loss.{{Cite web |title=Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons - October 31st, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202110310atl.htm |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

In Week 16, Oluokun had 14 tackles and intercepted Tim Boyle with less than 40 seconds left, sealing a 20–16 win over the Detroit Lions. His performance earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.{{Cite web |last=Baca |first=Michael |date=December 29, 2021 |title=Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott lead NFL Players of the Week |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/players-of-the-week-2021-week-16-joe-burrow-dak-prescott |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}} In Week 17, Oluokun Had 13 total tackles, 2 pass deflections, and intercepted Josh Allen in the 15–29 loss to the Buffalo Bills.{{Cite web|title=Falcons' Foyesade Oluokun: Another monster performance|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/falcons-foyesade-oluokun-another-monster-performance/|access-date=January 4, 2022|website=CBSSports.com|date=January 4, 2022 |language=en}} He led the league in tackles, the seventh-most single season tackles in NFL history.{{Cite web|last=Birchfield|first=Evan|date=January 10, 2022|title=Foye Oluokun finishes 2021 season with 7th most single-season tackles in NFL history|url=https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2022/1/10/22875769/foye-oluokun-finishes-2021-season-with-7th-most-single-season-tackles-in-nfl-history|access-date=January 11, 2022|website=The Falcoholic|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=NFL Tackles Combined Single-Season Leaders (since 1987) |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/tackles_combined_single_season.htm |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

=Jacksonville Jaguars=

On March 16, 2022, Oluokun signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars.{{cite web|title=Official: Oluokun agrees to terms|url=https://www.jaguars.com/news/official-oluokun-agrees-to-terms|first=John|last=Oehser|website=Jaguars.com|date=March 16, 2022|accessdate=March 16, 2022|archive-date=March 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316202922/https://www.jaguars.com/news/official-oluokun-agrees-to-terms|url-status=dead}}

Oluokun led the NFL in tackles in 2022 for the second straight year.{{Cite web |title=2022 NFL Defense |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2022/defense.htm |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} In Week 7 of the 2023 season, he had a 24-yard interception returned for a touchdown against the Saints.{{cite web | last=Williams | first=Charean | title=Foyesade Oluokun's pick-six of Derek Carr gives Jaguars 24-9 lead | website=NBC Sports | date=2023-10-20 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/foyesade-oluokuns-pick-six-of-derek-carr-gives-jaguars-24-9-lead | access-date=2024-09-20}} In the 2023 season, he had 2.5 sacks, 173 total tackles (111 solo), one interception, six passes defended, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries.{{Cite web |title=Foyesade Oluokun 2023 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OluoFo00/gamelog/2023/ |access-date=2024-09-20 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}

On March 29, 2024, Oluokun signed a new four-year, $45 million contract, keeping him under contract with the Jaguars through the 2027 season.{{cite web|title=Jaguars, Foye Oluokun agree to new four-year contract|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/jaguars-foye-oluokun-agree-to-new-four-year-contract|author=Simmons, Myles|work=Pro Football Talk|publisher=NBC Sports|date=March 29, 2024}}

NFL career statistics

class="wikitable"

! colspan="2"| Legend

style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|

| Led the league

Bold

| Career high

=Regular season=

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
rowspan="2"| Year

! rowspan="2"| Team

! colspan="2"| Games

! colspan="5"| Tackles

! colspan="5"| Interceptions

! colspan="4"| Fumbles

GPGSCmbSoloAstTfLSckPDIntYdsLngTDFFFRYdsTD
2018ATL

| 16|| 7 || 91 || 56 || 35 || 2 || 0.0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0

2019ATL

| 16|| 3 || 62 || 36 || 26 || 2 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0

2020ATL

| 15 || 14 || 117 || 78 || 39 || 4 || 3.0 || 4 || 2 || 65 || 51 || 0 || 4 || 1 || 0 || 0

2021ATL

| 17 || 17 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;" | 192 || 102 || style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;" | 90 || 4 || 2.0 || 6 || 3 || 80 || 56 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0

2022

!JAX

|17

|17

|style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|184

|style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|128

|56

|12

|2.0

|5

|0

|0

|0

|0

|2

|2

|0

|0

2023

!JAX

|17

|17

|173

|style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|111

|62

|8

|2.5

|6

|1

|24

|24

|1

|1

|3

|0

|0

colspan="2" | [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/O/OluoFo00.htm Career]9875819511308329.522616856110600

Personal life

The son of immigrants, he is of Nigerian descent.{{Cite news |last=Baugh |first=Peter |date=June 13, 2013 |title=Burroughs standout bound for Yale |work=The St. Louis American |url=http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/burroughs-standout-bound-for-yale/article_edbff99a-d3c4-11e2-ab0e-001a4bcf887a.html |access-date=September 6, 2018}}

References

{{reflist}}