2022 NFL Draft: Nigeria-born Scottish linebacker David Ojabo joins the Baltimore Ravens

University of Michigan linebacker expected to play for the Baltimore Ravens this season despite Achilles injury.

From Nigeria to Aberdeen to the Baltimore Ravens, it's been quite a journey for David Ojabo as he became the UK's newest NFL star when he was picked up in the second round of the NFL Draft.

The 21-year-old Ojabo moved from Nigeria to Aberdeen in Scotland at the age of seven, and only started playing American football at 17.

Ojabo started playing basketball when moving to a high school in New Jersey, but coaches spotted his potential to play gridiron and only a year after putting on a helmet he was off to one of the top college programs.
Playing linebacker for the University of Michigan, Ojabo soon made a big name for himself with the Wolverines, and looked like a first-round Draft prospect before tearing his Achilles tendon in March.
His talent and potential though was still enough for the Ravens to use their 45th overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to land Ojabo - who they believe will play later in the upcoming season.

College connections help Ravens pick Ojabo

If any team in the league was going to take a chance on Ojabo it was the Ravens - who have John Harbaugh as their head coach, who is the brother of Michigan head coach Jim.

Michigan's defensive coordinator who gave Ojabo his shot was Mike MacDonald, who this offseason has moved to Baltimore to do the same job.
Joining up again with MacDonald is now a great opportunity for Ojabo.
"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, 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."

Ravens willing to wait for Ojabo

Ojbao had 11 sacks when helping Michigan win the Big 10 Championship last season, and playing in front of the huge crowds they get is great preparation for life in the NFL.
Having played alongside Aidan Hutchinson, who was the second overall pick by the Detroit Lions at the NFL Draft, Ojabo has been operating at the top level.
Ojabo could well have followed Hutchinson and gone in the first round had he not suffered his injury at his pro day in March, which he described as "just a bump in the road".
He added: "It was my first-ever injury and just another obstacle I'm going to conquer."
Ojabo, who had his parents with him for the Draft after they flew out to the USA to surprise him, is expected to be ready to play later on this season.
"They're optimistic, that at some point this year, he'll have a chance to play," Baltimore GM Eric DeCosta said of the Ojabo prognosis from team doctors.
"There might be a delay, but we think he's going to come back with a vengeance and play outstanding football."
READ MORE: 2022 NFL Draft first-round report on all 32 picks

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