The Tennessee Titans claimed linebacker Anfernee Orji off waivers from the New Orleans Saints in May to add some competition to the inside linebacker position and add a depth player with special-teams prowess.
On Friday, the young linebacker joined Good Morning Football to discuss his offseason and why he chose to step away from the game to become a substitute teacher in his home state of Texas.
“I always say, like, I’m an odd person,” Orji said. “For some reason, I was like, I want to substitute teach. I feel like if I just do football camp, I can only reach the kids who come to the camp, which is mainly male athletes and football players. But substitute teaching, I can reach all kinds of kids, I can have an impact on more kids’ lives.”
When he’s not battling middle schoolers, the former undrafted rookie free agent out of Vanderbilt in 2023 is preparing for his first training camp in Nashville, where he has a chance to compete for playing time in a wide-open inside linebacker battle.
Initially signed by the New Orleans Saints, Orji worked his way up to the active roster in 2024 and made an impact, becoming a vital cog on the Saints’ special teams. He saw action on 82 percent of those snaps over 16 games and finished the season with 30 tackles. That experience could pay off in Tennessee, with the Titans completely overhauling their special teams units during the offseason.
Orji will have a chance to leave the classroom and show off his talents when the Titans open training camp on July 22.