Cam Ward Forced Titans to Make Roster Decision as Brian Callahan Signs 16 UDFA Rookies

Sometimes, chemistry isn’t a talking point. It’s tape. It’s touchdowns. And for the Tennessee Titans, it’s a bet that the same connection that carved up ACC defenses in 2024 can translate on Sundays. Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo aren’t just former teammates from the University of Miami — they were each other’s rhythm. Restrepo wasn’t just Ward’s leading receiver last season. He was the guy Ward trusted in third-and-8 spots, red-zone windows, broken plays. The kind of bond that isn’t always visible in box scores — though, truth be told, it showed up there plenty.

Restrepo posted 69 receptions, 1,127 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 2024, averaging over 16 yards a catch. He finished his Hurricanes career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns — a résumé that would scream NFL-ready, if he were 6’2″. He’s not. But he’s quick, fearless, and has hands like Velcro. And Cam Ward supported him.

After the second and final day of their rookie minicamp, the rookie signal-caller talked to reporters. He revealed his liking for Restrepo and said, “I did push for him, every team that I visited with, I pushed, I pushed for him. He’s one of the best route runners in college football last year. He’s first team all conference, he’s all American, he never lost in man coverage, he’s back-to-back thousand yard receiver, so why wouldn’t you push for him?”

Cam Ward tells reporters that he pushed for the #Titans to sign UDFA WR Xavier Restrepo — his top target at Miami.

(via @AtoZSports) pic.twitter.com/y6tdSOIYNy https://t.co/q8tjFAz1fL

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) May 10, 2025

The Titans are banking on what the numbers and tape both suggest: Xavier Restrepo and Cam Ward just work together. At Miami, they were lethal against zone, comfortable in scramble drills, and telepathic in timing routes. The game against Duke last fall? Ward threw five touchdowns — three to Restrepo — in a performance that felt more backyard than college playoff race.

“There’s trust there,” said someone close to the team. “That’s hard to manufacture between a QB and WR. These guys already have it.” Restrepo isn’t walking into a WR1 role in Tennessee. But he’s walking into a quarterback room where the starter already sees him not just as a teammate — but as a security blanket.

And that might be what this move is all about: stability. A young QB in Ward, new system, new speed. Why not give him something — someone — that feels like home?

Titans sign 16 UDFAs

The AFC South franchise is becoming the new home for 15 more undrafted free agents in addition to Cam Ward’s favorite, Xavier Restrepo. While the HC Brian Callahan focused mostly on defense, he also brought in 2 more offensive players. Most eyes were locked on Gators OT Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, the 6-foot-7, 316 lbs beast. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero revealed that the Titans signed a fully guaranteed 4-year $245K deal, including a $20K signing bonus.

The four-year starter and All-ACC selection at Boston College, DT Cam Horsley, is set to stop their rivals in their tracks. While he only has 3.5 sacks in 5 seasons, he disrupted the play in 8 defended passes, 1 fumble, and 164 tackles (74 solo). Another free agent, DT Isaiah Raikes spent 4 seasons at Texas A&M before moving to the Tigers last year. Pelissero mentioned that the Titans signed him to a $85K guaranteed deal with a $10K signing bonus. So, they are moving in the right direction.

Their rookie camp now boasts of 25 players. How many of them will make it to the 53-man roster? That’s the race they are all running now.

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