Raiders announce JoJo Wooden as Senior Director of Player Personnel

A key theme for the Las Vegas Raiders so far this offseason has been familiarity and experience. Today the Raiders added another familiar face with experience in Senior Director of Player Personnel JoJo Wooden. Wooden’s key tie to the Raiders organization is new General Manager Tom Telesco.

Wooden spent all 11 years under Telesco during his years as Chargers General Manager. Even taking over as Interim GM last season after Telesco’s firing last December. This announcement gives the Raiders some clarity going into an important week on the NFL calendar. Wooden will oversee both the pro and college scouting departments and the scouting combine will open tomorrow, with free agency kicking into high gear immediately after.

Wooden brings the experience to the front office that Raiders Owner Mark Davis has coveted. Prior to his time with the Chargers, Wooden spent 16 seasons with the New York Jets (1997-2012), including the final six years as the club’s Assistant Director of Player Personnel. He joined the Jets as a Pro Personnel Assistant in 1997 before being promoted to senior AFC Pro Scout in 2001, Assistant Director of Pro Scouting in 2003 and Director of Pro Scouting from 2004-06.

Wooden is a native of Hartford, Conn. He graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in sociology. He played outside linebacker for the Orange from 1989-1992 and helped his team to back-to-back top-10 national rankings during his junior and senior seasons.