NASHVILLE – Titans linebacker Will Compton is one of the boys in Tennessee once again, and he's fired up about it.
He's also been pleasantly surprised at the celebration he's seen from the team's fan base on social media.
"I only played here one year, and it's not like I was some superstar," Compton said on a video conference call on Tuesday morning. "And then when I went to Oakland (last year), it was like I was some hometown kid leaving to go somewhere. So yeah, it's definitely surprising, but it definitely makes you feel loved."
The Titans re-signed Compton, who played in 12 games for the Titans in 2018, last week.
A seven-year NFL veteran, Compton played with the Raiders in 2019.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said during a video conference call on Tuesday Compton has a great personality, so he fit back in locker room quickly because the guys like him.
Compton, who'd been working out in Nashville hoping to get a call, recalled the text he got from Vrabel prior to working out for the team. Compton said all the episodes of his popular "Bussin' With the Boys" podcast with teammate Taylor Lewan were recorded earlier in the offseason, which allows him to focus on football.
"When Vrabes texted, I think it was a Sunday morning, if I was in shape," Compton said, "I was like, Oh, s**t, this is about to happen. I immediately got excited."
In 12 games for the Titans in 2018, Compton was credited with 11 tackles and a pass defensed that season, along with a team-high 11 stops on special teams.
Titans outside linebacker coach Shane Bowen said he's been pleasantly surprised by what he's seen from Compton in practices so far.
"I have been pleased with Will," Bowen said. "I think he is moving around pretty good, playing better than I expected him to, to be honest – don't tell him that. He has been good. He has always been a smart player; he was a smart player before. He hasn't had any issues in terms of learning – Has (ILBs Coach Jim Haslett) has thrown him into the fire, and he has done well. I have been pleased with Will up to this point."
"I'll take any compliment I can get," a smiling Compton said when told of Bowen's assessment. "I feel great moving around right now, and it's just about getting acclimated to being back in the defense and getting all the verbiage down and back into the swing of things. But I feel healthy and I feel good."
Compton spent his first five NFL seasons with the Redskins, where he played in 57 games over five seasons (2013-2017). With the Raiders last season, Compton was credited 38 tackles while appearing in nine games.
In his NFL career, Compton has 78 games of NFL experience, including 39 starts. Compton has 339 career tackles, three interceptions, and a sack.
Compton hopes to make his second stint with the Titans special. He was optimistic about being signed for 2020 even when he wasn't on a roster at the start of camp, and is glad things worked out in Tennessee.
"You initially think your chapter and stuff is over," Compton said of his days in Tennessee. "I was always prepared (and thinking) I'll probably have to be in a different city this year, so it has all worked out and I am excited to be here."
