DE Oladele enjoys first trip to Tennessee, plans to return this fall

Kayode Oladele didn’t start playing football until about 18 months ago, but the 6-foot-5, 240-pound defensive end has quickly become a hot commodity on the recruiting trail due to his raw talents.

The Miami native, who moved to the United States from Nigeria in 2015, worked out in front of Tennessee coaches Thursday at the Vols’ final recruiting camp this summer, enjoying his first-ever trip on Rocky Top.

“Today’s camp was very good,” he told Volquest. “It was good working out with (DL coach Brady Hoke). Doing the 1-on-1’s was awesome. I won all my reps so it was really good.”

Oladele said Hoke convinced him to make the long trip from South Floirda and he enjoyed meeting Tennessee's assistant coach in person Thursday. He said “Tennessee is really talking to me a lot,” and that Hoke is pushing for him to join the 2018 class.

“We have a great relationship. We talked a lot today,” Oladele explained. “He told me that if I come here he would turn me into a good player for this team. … This is a big stadium. This is a great place. Working hard with the d-line coach was pretty good. He teaches good technique and that’s what I really liked about him.”

The 4-star defensive end from Hialeah Campagnat Catholic (Fla.) holds more than dozen offers, and was briefly committed to Florida State before reopening his recruitment in May. He hears regularly from Tennessee, Miami, where he’ll visit Saturday, FSU, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Baylor.

While he “doesn’t really have any top schools,” Oladele did note that Tennessee would “for sure” get an official visit this fall.

“I don’t really have any top schools. I’m looking at everyone. During my mid-senior season, I’ll make my Top 5 or Top 6 and then go from there,” he said. “But Tennessee will definitely be in my top schools.”

Oladele plans to enroll early and is looking for strong academics and early playing time for his future college choice.