NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The text messages started coming in from area code 808 early Tuesday morning, and Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota got excited.
What might've started out as a rumor ended up being true: The Titans were trading for Baltimore linebacker Kamalei Correa. The deal was announced later in the morning.
Mariota and Correa were high school teammates at Saint Louis School in Honolulu.
"I am excited," Mariota said after practice on Tuesday. "It is pretty crazy, man. It is kind of full circle. He is a couple of years younger than me. But to play together in high school and to be able to play together here at this level is something that is special. I am excited to have him.
"I think he'll do well for us, and hopefully make a difference."
Mariota said he shot Correa a text: "We're looking forward to having you, and if you need anything let me know."
"Again, I am excited to have him," Mariota said. "He is a great guy and hopefully he can make a difference for us. … Everybody is excited, and it's a privilege to have him, and have another guy from home."
The Titans hope Correa will make an impact on defense, especially rushing the passer.
Correa was a second-round pick (42nd overall) by the Ravens in the 2016 NFL Draft.
He's played in 25 career games, with four starts. His statistics include 11 tackles, one forced fumble and eight special teams stops. An all-conference performer at Boise State, Correa totaled 27 starts and 40 games over his three-year college career. Correa totaled 110 career tackles, 20 sacks, 31.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles for the Broncos.
Correa (6-3, 249), who has played both inside and outside linebacker in his career, has performed well for the Ravens in the preseason. Correa was coached by Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees in Baltimore.
In Baltimore's preseason opener against the Bears, Correa played 37 snaps and finished with six tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, an interception and two passes defended.
"I know I watched him that first preseason game and he had an amazing game," Titans safety Kevin Byard said. "I know he is going to come in and bring a lot of competition to the position, and he's going to help us win games, and that's the main thing we want to get accomplished here."
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said he's looking forward to meeting with Correa when he arrives, and figuring out where he can help the team.
"Kamalei, I think what he can do, is he's shown some versatility over the first part of his career," Vrabel said. "He has played off the ball, he has played on the ball. He's had a really good preseason and we felt like he could give us some depth at both spots, and he could help us on fourth down, give us some rush.
"We have to get him here. Dean is very familiar with him, and I am excited to get to know him, kind of see what he can handle. We don't want to overload anybody that is just getting here. Find out what he can handle, take a look at him on Thursday potentially, and then moving forward (figure) out where we see him best be able to fit us, and help us."
The Tennessee Titans take the field for practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2018 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
TitansOnline.com looks back at the first two NFL seasons of LB Kamalei Correa, the newest Titan via trade with the Baltimore Ravens.
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Ten. The Titans won 23-20. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Tennessee Titans vs. Baltimore Ravens on November 5, 2017. Photos by Donn Jones Photography
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa looks for a pass during NFL football training camp in Owings Mills, Md., Thursday, Aug. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs in pursuit during an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018 in Indianapolis. The Ravens won 20-19. (Scott Boehm via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) in action during an NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Indianapolis. The Ravens defeated the Colts, 20-19. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) gets set during an NFL preseason football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, in Indianapolis. The Ravens defeated the Colts, 20-19. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Braden Smith (72) blocks Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Braden Smith (72) blocks Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Braden Smith (72) blocks Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs after an interception against the Chicago Bears during the first half at the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Canton, Ohio. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Indianapolis Colts offensive guard Braden Smith (72) blocks Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa in the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
FILE - In this Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, file photo, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs after an interception against the Chicago Bears during the first half at the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game in Canton, Ohio. The NFL’s new rule making it a penalty when a player leads with his helmet is generating plenty of grumbling about taking the football out of the sport, but more practically it’s led to confusion about how it’ll be enforced. Correa was one of the first players penalized under the new rule during the Hall of Fame Game that opened the preseason. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Brandon Allen, right, tries to outrun Baltimore Ravens defensive end Zach Sieler, back left, and linebacker Kamalei Correa in the second half of a preseason NFL football game, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) celebrates on the field during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) in coverage during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs around the edge during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) leaps and celebrates with Baltimore Ravens rookie defensive back DeShon Elliott (21) after Correa intercepts a first quarter pass at the Chicago Bears 9 yard line during the 2018 NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. The Ravens won the game 17-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs around the edge in front of Chicago Bears offensive tackle Bradley Sowell (79) during an NFL preseason football game on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) in coverage during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) in coverage during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Brandon Greene (60) blocks as Chicago Bears quarterback Tyler Bray (9) gets hit from behind by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) on a strip fumble play that stops a third quarter Bears drive at the Baltimore Ravens 16 yard line during the 2018 NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. The Ravens won the game 17-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) chases the action while warming up before the 2018 NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. The Ravens won the game 17-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) forces the ball out of Chicago Bears quarterback Tyler Bray (9) during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) chases the action while warming up before the 2018 NFL preseason football game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. The Ravens won the game 17-16. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) forces the ball out of Chicago Bears quarterback Tyler Bray (9) during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) forces the ball out of Chicago Bears quarterback Tyler Bray (9) during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) forces the ball out of Chicago Bears quarterback Tyler Bray (9) during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) between plays during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, Baltimore. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 26-9. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) tackles Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard (24), Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, Baltimore. The Bears defeated the Ravens 27-24. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) drops into coverage during the game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Texans 23-16. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) celebrates on the field during the Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL preseason game between the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018 in Canton, Ohio. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) talks with Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) after an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans won 23-20. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (24) and linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) hit Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87), Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-10. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa runs a drill during an NFL football practice at the team's headquarters in Owings Mills, Md., Wednesday, June 13, 2018. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) tackles Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) drops into coverage during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, Baltimore. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 26-9. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa defends on defense in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Baltimore. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 26-9. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) and inside linebacker Kamalei Correa prepare to run a drill during an NFL football training camp practice in Baltimore, Sunday, July 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa looks on in action against the Oakland Raiders during a NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Baltimore. The Raiders won, 28-27. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive end Demarcus Lawrence, left, and Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) swap jerseys after their NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) drops into coverage against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, Baltimore, MD. The Ravens defeated the Lions 30-9. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Brandon Carr (24) and linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) hit Cleveland Browns tight end Seth DeValve (87), Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, Baltimore. The Ravens defeated the Browns 24-10. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Baltimore Ravens' Albert McClellan (50), Zach Orr (54) and Kamalei Correa (51) run up field during an NFL football game against he Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs down field on special teams kick coverage during the 2016 NFL week 3 regular season football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Ravens won the game 19-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) drops into coverage against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, Baltimore, MD. The Ravens defeated the Lions 30-9. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Cody Core (16) runs the ball against Baltimore Ravens strong safety Eric Weddle (32) and inside linebacker Kamalei Correa, left, in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Baltimore Ravens rookie linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs down field on special teams kick coverage during the 2016 NFL week 3 regular season football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016 in Jacksonville, Fla. The Ravens won the game 19-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) drops into coverage against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016, Baltimore, MD. The Ravens defeated the Lions 30-9. (Al Tielemans via AP Images)
Carolina Panthers quarterback Derek Anderson (3) passes against Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Willie Henry (69) and linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Baltimore Ravens Kamalei Correa runs a drill during practice at the NFL football teams training camp, in Owings Mills, MD., Thursday, July 28, 2016. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
New Orleans Saints running back C.J. Spiller (28) carries past Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) in the first half of an NFL football pre-season game in New Orleans, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kamalei Correa (51) runs in pursuit during an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Field on Sunday, September 25, 2016. The Ravens defeated the Jaguars 19-17. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
