Lake received a call from Molden’s mother, Christin, saying the young defensive back had sketched out pictures of the defense he had learned and covered his bedroom wall with them like posters.
His father, Alex, was selected by the New Orleans Saints with the 11th pick in the 1996 draft and went on to play eight seasons with the San Diego Chargers and Detroit Lions.
Elijah’s love for football was sparked early when he was able to go into the Chargers’ locker room with his dad.
When he put on the pads, it was just like me when I played.
“I would pause it after a big play and ask him if he knew why it happened,” Alex said of their film study.
“When get to the 50-yard line, what are you thinking? I’m telling him, ‘They’re going to take their shot.’ When you get 3-on-1, what are you thinking depending on what receiver is on the field side? They’re trying to isolate.
He was just really intelligent,” GM Jon Robinson said after the Titans selected Elijah in the draft.
One of his proudest memories came when Elijah was only 14 and locked down an opposing team’s wide receiver who had been offered a scholarship to Arizona.
When he was a junior, Elijah was offered a chance to visit the University of Washington and watch spring ball on an unofficial visit.
Suddenly, the idea of turning over the keys to Elijah’s success to his alma mater’s rival wasn’t such a bad idea.
“He prides himself on learning every detail of the defense,” Lake said.
That to me signifies a guy who’s really dialed in to the game at another level.
Making it to the NFL was always Elijah’s goal, but the rookie said he isn’t satisfied.
“Thank you for letting me live out my dreams and always giving me advice, keeping things in perspective,” Elijah said.