ALAMEDA — Jamize Olawale’s first thought getting off the team charter following a road win in Tennessee was to reach out to Marcel Reece.

“When the plane landed that night, I shot him a text telling him we’re holding it down for him and looking forward to him getting back to work this week,” Olawale said Tuesday.

In the cold business world of the NFL, players such as Reece lend a veteran’s perspective to up-and-coming talents such as Olawale, then find their services are no longer required.

It became clear last December Olawale was a priority of Raiders management when he was given a three-year extension worth $6 million. Reece, meanwhile, was entering the final year of his own contract and then hit with a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs.

Reece started the suspension in Week 17 last season and was released Monday, the day before he was to resume practice after finishing his suspension.

Olawale, 27, had solidified his position as the Raiders fullback, in part because he is a more punishing lead blocker than Reece, and in part because he plays on all the special teams.

Yet Olawale also looked up to Reece, because their background was so similar. Both went to high school at Long Beach Poly and attended El Camino College. Neither was a natural fit at any position. Reece was a wide receiver in college, Olawale spent some time at tight end.

When Olawale came along at El Camino, coach John Featherstone said he was reminded of Reece.

And then they wound up side-by-side in the Raiders locker room, with Reece a conduit of information that would make Olawale a better player. And make Reece more expendable.

“I was expecting to come in today and catch up and get to work,” Olawale said. “It caught me off guard. But I talked to him. He seems to be in a good place. It’s hard, though. He was big part of this locker room, big on this team and he and I are pretty close.”

Olawale is coming off a game in which his lead blocks were conspicuous, particularly on a 30-yard run by rookie running back DeAndre Washington. The Raiders are ranked second in rushing at 148.3 yards per game.

“I haven’t seen anything like it since I’ve been here,” Olawale said of the Raiders’ running game. “The whole attitude, the mindset, the coaches putting us in the right positions. You can’t help but be successful.”

Washington, who gained 57 yards on six carries, said of Olawale, “He did a great job all day opening up those holes. He makes my job easier.”

Coming back and finding Reece wouldn’t be coming back was another eye-opening experience for Washington.

“Since Day 1, he embraced me personally, gave me pointers on how to handle the adjustment of college to the NFL,” Washington said. “It’s something I definitely will always be appreciative of.”

Raiders long-snapper Jon Condo, along with kicker Sebastian Janikowski and special teams ace Taiwan Jones, are the lone players who were brought in by Al Davis. In seven seasons with the Raiders, Reece played for six head coaches — Lane Kiffin, Tom Cable, Hue Jackson, Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano and Jack Del Rio.

“I understand it’s a business and everything, but it’s a shock,” Condo said. “He meant so much to the organization, and he was so loyal. Mr. Davis believed in him, and that’s not something you forget. You think of a Raider, that’s Marcel. He was proud to wear silver and black.”