David Ojabo on what it means to be drafted after dealing with Pro Day injury

Former Michigan defensive end David Ojabo is heading to the Baltimore Ravens as their 45th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft despite a Pro Day injury just weeks before. After entering the league with one of the most compelling stories, he continues to add to it with his perseverance.

The journey for David Ojabo has featured many twists and turns, with the latest coming when he tore his Achilles during Michigan’s Pro Day after projecting as a first-round pick. But experts such as ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr did not think he would fall past the early second round in the days leading up to the draft.

“It means the world,” Ojabo told reporters in his first NFL media session. “That’s what I was working towards before the unfortunate injury. And to have my family and friends right beside me, it’s all part of the story. It’s like a dream.”

Despite the injury, he now arrives on a team which can afford to wait for his services thanks to a playoff-caliber unit returning and the addition of first round pick Kyle Hamilton in the draft as well. The Ravens have also dealt with multiple Achilles injuries successfully in the past, building confidence in a full return to form for Ojabo in the near future.

David Ojabo reacts to draft moment

The second round selection of David Ojabo also led to an emotional moment as cameras caught the family’s reaction to the news his dreams have finally come true. In a video posted by the NFL on social media, the emotions of the moment are felt.

Sitting on the couch with his parents and siblings, surrounded by more friends and family, David Ojabo heard his name called by the Ravens and could not hold back the tears. As he went to hug each person around him, he received a call as he put on his draft day hat.

Out of high school, Ojabo was a four-star recruit and the No. 5 recruit out of New Jersey from the Class of 2019, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Ojabo had 35 tackles and 11.0 sacks in 2021, a mark that ranked second on the team behind Aidan Hutchinson’s 14.0. They formed a dynamic 1-2 punch for the Wolverines and were two huge reasons why they made the College Football Playoff for the first time.