David Ojabo on Michigan's showdown vs. Ohio State: 'It’s on us to make it happen'
Michigan football third-year pass rusher David Ojabo has experienced the breakout season many have been waiting for. Long seen as a project on the Wolverine defense, his fifth full season of playing football has gone swimmingly.
Ojabo has 10 sacks in 11 games this season playing on the other side of star edge defender Aidan Hutchinson. His play has rocketed him up NFL Draft boards and put him in the conversation as a first-round prospect.
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Michigan’s sack artist is still having a hard time wrapping his head around it.
“I keep saying it’s like a dream,” Ojabo said on Monday night’s Inside Michigan Football radio show. “I go home every day and in my head just kind of think, man what’s going on? A lot is going on. I’m improving every day. But yeah, it’s like a dream, honestly.
“The biggest difference (in my development) is film. Just knowing my opponent and knowing myself. Figuring out the rules, just everything. Diving deep into the game and putting in hours.”
Ojabo came to America from Aberdeen, Scotland and did not play football until his junior year of high school. He believes he will only continue to get better with each snap he takes.
“The sky is the limit,” he said. “Five years ago, I didn’t even really know what the sport was. Now, I’m getting sacks for the University of Michigan. Who knows what five years could bring? I’m all for it and just taking it day by day, honestly.”
The Michigan linebacker embraces the competition in the sport above all else. However, the bonds he has built with teammates is also a driving force behind his breakout.
“Competition, it’s really mano y mano,” he said. “And I won’t lie, the brotherhood aspect, too. You are really about to go to war with your brothers, win or loss. It’s a different feeling. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s that brotherhood, man. It’s a great feeling being out there.”
This weekend’s game against Ohio State will be the first time Ojabo’s parents visit Michigan. The Ojabos will be in town on Thursday for Thanksgiving and stay through the weekend.
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It will be a first for his mother and father.
“They haven’t seen me play a football game yet that wasn’t on TV,” Ojabo said. “It’s going to be a great feeling.
“(My mom has) gotta know it’s different seeing it in the flesh. You’re going to hear the pads popping and the fans chirping. She’s gotta keep her cool and know her son’s okay.”
Ann Arbor and the Michigan campus have a lot to offer. Ojabo wants his parents to see what he sees every day when going out in public.
“It’s a different world out here so I’ll show them what I’ve been seeing,” he said. “We’re used to Scotland and the countryside views. Ann Arbor and America whole lot different, so I’ll show them around.”
Setting everything else aside, Michigan has a football game to play on Saturday. Its rivalry tilt with Ohio State will determine a Big Ten East champion. Ojabo is ready for the challenge.
“It’s everything we worked for,” he said. “We’ve been preaching this since way before and decided we’re going to band together as brothers and buy-in. That was the biggest thing was buying in. We all have one goal and are working towards it. That’s like a dream.
“We’re all living a dream and it’s on us to make it happen.
