Scotland’s Ojabo selected by Ravens in second round of NFL Draft
The 21-year-old linebacker, who was raised in Aberdeen after moving from Nigeria aged seven, only took up American football aged 17; he tore an Achilles tendon during his pro-day but was the 45th pick on Friday
Last Updated: 30/04/22 7:45am
Scotland’s David Ojabo has been selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft in Las Vegas.
The 21-year-old linebacker was raised in Aberdeen – after moving from Nigeria aged seven – and had been projected as a first-round pick before tearing an Achilles tendon in March.
Ojabo suffered the injury during a pro-day workout drill at Michigan University and it proved enough for teams to pass on him on day one of the NFL’s annual event.
The Ravens believe he’s still a potential standout and he was selected with the 45th pick on Friday.
“It was just a bump in the road,” Ojabo said about his Achilles. “It was my first-ever injury and just another obstacle I’m going to conquer.”
Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta said that doctors have given a pretty promising timetable on when Ojabo could help the Ravens.
“They’re optimistic, that at some point this year, he’ll have a chance to play,” DeCosta said. “There might be a delay, but we think he’s going to come back with a vengeance and play outstanding football.”
Ojabo had not played the sport when he moved to America to go to a New Jersey high school, where he competed in basketball before being encouraged to give American football a go aged 17.
He learned quickly and a year later was playing for the University of Michigan’s team, the Wolverines. Last year he starred, making 11 sacks and helping his side win the Big 10 Championship.
There are plenty of connections between Michigan and the Ravens. Baltimore coach John Harbaugh’s brother Jim is the coach at Michigan.
Mike MacDonald, the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator in 2021, was hired this off-season to fill that same role in Baltimore.
“That’s just how I know that it’s all part of the plan,” Ojabo said.
“What are the odds that the person who comes in and gives me a chance to play [at Michigan], ultimately is the guy I’m following to the next level as well? I just know that it’s all written, man. It’s meant to be.”
Ojabo’s team-mate and fellow defensive end Aidan Hutchinson was selected by the Detroit Lions with the second overall pick on Thursday.
Ojabo had his parents with him for the draft, after they were flown out from Aberdeen to surprise him.