The Tennessee Titans selected quarterback Cam Ward with the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Miami product was the consensus QB1 in this year’s class and is the new face of the Titans.
A byproduct of the Ward pick was Tennessee getting an extended look at wide receiver Xavier Restrepo. The Hurricanes’ WR was one of Ward’s most reliable options, but a slow 40-yard dash was concerning and ultimately led to him being undrafted. Recently, Titans head coach Brian Callahan spoke about the undrafted receiver.
Xavier Restrepo Needs To Prove He’s Better Than Slow 40 Time
Restrepo spent all five years of his college career at Miami and finished with back-to-back productive seasons. In 2023, he posted 85 catches, 1,092 yards, and six touchdowns. But when Ward arrived in 2024, Restrepo’s game was taken to a new level.
The receiver was named a consensus All-American after leading the ACC in receiving yards (1,127) and touchdowns (11). Miami began the season 9-0 but missed the playoffs after going 1-2 in its final three games.
Restrepo was expected to be drafted heading into the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, but posted an awful 40-yard dash time of 4.86 seconds. His draft stock immediately plummeted, and he was not selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Yet, not being selected could be a blessing for Restrepo, as the Titans reunited him with Ward. Tennessee drafted two receivers in the fourth round and already has a full receiver room, but Restrepo’s familiarity with Ward should give him an edge.
Callahan spoke about what intrigued the team about the Miami receiver, and how he’ll have to prove he belongs in the league.
Callahan said, “I mean, we watched a lot of tape on Cam, and you see all the plays that Xavier made over his career, particularly this past year. All the players on that offense, we had a little bit more familiarity with just because of the nature of how much film you watch when you’re evaluating a quarterback. And then you got a chance to be exposed to him at the pro day, and (Xavier) was there for the private as well.”
The Titans held a private workout with Ward after Miami’s Pro Day. In the process, Restrepo took advantage of his multiple chances to impress Tennessee’s front office.
About Restrepo’s slow 40-yard dash time, Callahan said, “I mean, it all matters. Yeah, it matters. But I think you see the football player, and you see this speed that he plays with when he plays. I wouldn’t have thought that would have been the time that he ran.
“But that’s how you go from a potential draft pick to being an undrafted free agent at the end of the day. And he’s got a lot to prove, and I’m excited to see him do it.”
Callahan continued, “Xavier’s been a really productive college player. I mean, you look at all the names of receivers that have played at the University of Miami, and he’s at the top, which is impressive. He might not necessarily be the biggest or the fastest player that’s probably ever come out of Miami, but he’s been incredibly productive, and he has found ways to play football the right way.
“So he’ll start out as a slot player for us, and he’ll have every chance to compete just like everybody else will. But you just look at his production and what he’s done as a football player, and he puts himself in pretty good position to be competitive. And even though he didn’t run the fastest time in the world, I’m excited to see what he can do.”
As an undrafted player, Restrepo will start at the bottom of Tennessee’s depth chart. Calvin Ridley and the recently acquired Tyler Lockett run the WR room, but the undrafted rookie will still have a chance to compete.
He looked strong at Tennessee’s rookie minicamp and will have to lean on his relationship with Ward to make the team’s initial 53-man roster.