NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Much of the buzz this Titans' offseason has been around quarterback Cam Ward, who was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

However, there's another rookie on the team that fan are excited about.

Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor is a popular rookie from Tennessee's 2025 draft class due to his size, skill and the team's need at wideout.

Ayomanor told News 2 football wasn't always his first choice. The rookie grew up in Medicine Hat, Canada and played hockey until he was a teenager.

"I think at that age is when you really decide in Canada if you're trying to go pro or not," he said.

Eventually, Ayomanor traded the skates for cleats and attended a boarding school in the United States, adding that it was difficult to get noticed as a football player in Canada.

"There just isn't a lot of respect for the competition or the coaching," he said. "So for me, it was an opportunity for me to get in front of U.S. coaches, play U.S. football."

In 2023, Ayomanor put the country on notice with a record-setting performance with 13 receptions for 294 yards and three touchdowns against Colorado and No. 2 pick Travis Hunter.

Although he is no longer on the ice, the rookie told News 2 that he keeps that hockey mentality on the football field.

"There's definitely a gritty sense to that and you have to have that dog and that fight in you to try to win those battles," Ayomanor concluded.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/titans-receiver-looks-to-be-canadas-next-nfl-start/