Watching the Michigan/Penn State game, it's obvious this kid is hella explosive. He fires off the ball and can bend the edge really well. Leads the Big 10 in sacks.

10th ranked prospect on Kiper's big board:

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Ojabo has been one of the most impressive newcomers in the country this season. A third-year sophomore who spent his youth in Nigeria and Scotland (check out my new colleague Jordan Reid's piece on him for more), Ojabo has eight sacks and four forced fumbles playing on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson. He has flashed advanced pass-rush moves -- check out this spin on the right tackle for a strip sack against Indiana -- and his athletic traits pop on tape. While Ojabo needs to work on his all-around game, there's a lot to like. He's still young; he could develop into a elite edge rusher.

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"Aidan Hutchinson receives a lot of the notoriety (rightfully so), but #Michigan EDGE/OLB hybrid David Ojabo (6050, 250, rSO) has really hit his stride over the past four games (6.0 sacks, 2 FFs) for the Wolverines defense,” Reid tweeted. "Ojabo is a Nigerian native that moved to Aberdeen, Scotland during his youth. He didn’t start playing football until 2017 (Blair Academy - NJ). Interestingly enough, he was HS teammates with Odafe Oweh, who was the person that convinced him to tryout for the football team.”

After playing just one game as a sophomore, Ojabo played in all eight games, so far, this season. On the year, he has 21 total tackles, 14 solo tackles, seven tackles for loss, seven sacks, three pass deflections, one fumble recovery and three forced fumbles.

The more come out, the merrier.

We need a stud pass rusher bad.

Bump.

Likely more our range...

As we watch our draft picks slide down out of the top 10 and into the middle of the pack, should he declare (which poses its own question) I'd be OK drafting him with the Colts pick should he still be there (as of right now in the top 20).  He's only been playing football since 2017 so there's loads of upside with him, a high ceiling.  I am concerned he's only played 1 full season at Michigan, though.  He did go to Blair Academy, which is usually a nationally ranked HS team, so you know he got good coaching early on.  Depending where the Colts pick ends up, he'd be good value from late teens to mid 20s.  We do need younger quality talent at DE.  We'll see how he does vs UGA.  He has a good or solid game vs them and he might move his stock a few draft spots.

 

He's the DE I want that we could realistically get.

F'n Dolphins win streak means no Kavyon or Hutch. I have Ojabo as my third favourite despite the limited playing experience

Ton of upside - and the cupboard is bare. Jermaine Johnson  is another guy, I’ve been meaning to look at.

 

I like what I see with Ojabo. I like that he's got that explosive speed and bend on the edge. My worry is that he's playing on the other side to a guy some think may be the best player in the draft...

3 hours ago, UK_EaglesFan89 said:

I like what I see with Ojabo. I like that he's got that explosive speed and bend on the edge. My worry is that he's playing on the other side to a guy some think may be the best player in the draft...

This is a reasonable concern - I have similar misgivings about some Georgia players… they objectively look good, but that’s clouded by the fact that the whole D is seemingly NFL bound.

On 12/10/2021 at 8:48 PM, Waiting4Someday said:

Ton of upside - and the cupboard is bare. Jermaine Johnson  is another guy, I’ve been meaning to look at.

I got some time to look at Jermaine Johnson and was impressed - not as twitched up/bendy as Ojabo but has good length to push the edge/rip and the ability to anchor against the run.  In a basic sense I like him better as a BG replacement doing BG things at LDE, although in a W9 or as 3-4OLB type I'm still looking to Ojabo as the superior pass rush specialist.

I love the upside with this guy. Has all the raw traits but is still learning the game.

That does mean, there is risk with this pick but we honestly need some high-end talent who can be real impact players on the D - he is one I would take a chance on. Odafe Oweh has turned out all right and he was all upside without the production Ojabo has had

Saw his story on ESPN countdown this morning. Great stuff. Would not mind having this kid. 

And he has nj ties so he would complete the trinity of my username too lol

Can we get away from the "potential" and go with players that can just flat out play now. We dont have the luxury for projects right now, esp in the 1st round. 

He’s a Michigan #55 who could take over from another certain #55 to come out of Michigan 

On 12/31/2021 at 5:33 PM, Alphagrand said:

He’s a Michigan #55 who could take over from another certain #55 to come out of Michigan 

Howie, is that you?

In all seriousness, I can see the Eagles making this selection. Ojabo doesn't have the same consistent production over a three year college career, but the Eagles could make an exception for him like they did with Jalen Reagor in 2020.

15 hours ago, eaglesfan0075 said:

Howie, is that you?

In all seriousness, I can see the Eagles making this selection. Ojabo doesn't have the same consistent production over a three year college career, but the Eagles could make an exception for him like they did with Jalen Reagor in 2020.

Officially declared 

 

https://247sports.com/college/michigan/Article/Michigan-footballs-David-Ojabo-declares-for-2022-NFL-Draft-decision-179811634/

That Dolphins pick is hopefully in the 10-15 range, should be around about where this guy goes. Expect he will test well and rise a little.

Love his explosiveness even if he is a little on the raw side. DE should priority #1 in draft.

20 minutes ago, kiwieagle said:

That Dolphins pick is hopefully in the 10-15 range, should be around about where this guy goes. Expect he will test well and rise a little.

Love his explosiveness even if he is a little on the raw side. DE should priority #1 in draft.

Would he fit within a 4-3 scheme (ie can he put his hand in the dirt)?

1 hour ago, ManchesterEagle said:

Would he fit within a 4-3 scheme (ie can he put his hand in the dirt)?

Yep. Michigan plays 4-3 now. He is athletic enough to be in either scheme I think.

I wanted Hutch or Kavyon but with where our picks are now, that won’t happen. Ojabo is much more realistic and would be one I’d be very happy with. 

I like him but share some of the same concerns that he is described as "raw" as a 1st round pick.  Then again, DL typically take 1-2 seasons to develop.  Eagles need another 1-2 DEs that are more on the speed side.  They don't have anyone with elite get-off and speed.  I would be fine if they had that but were more sub-package to start.  I also think Gannon wants versatility for 4-3 and 3-4 looks so smaller guys are an option as well.

2 hours ago, proveagle said:

I like him but share some of the same concerns that he is described as "raw" as a 1st round pick.  Then again, DL typically take 1-2 seasons to develop.  Eagles need another 1-2 DEs that are more on the speed side.  They don't have anyone with elite get-off and speed.  I would be fine if they had that but were more sub-package to start.  I also think Gannon wants versatility for 4-3 and 3-4 looks so smaller guys are an option as well.

I hear you but I want them to swing for the fences for someone who can be a real impact playmaker from the DE position. He has that upside, and with where we are picking you have to take a little more risk to get someone with that upside at such a premium position.

There are others more polished but limited athletes as well - I’d just prefer them going for the high upside DE this time around. Btw Oweh was similar last year without the production but looks like he will be a player in the NFL because of that athleticism 

On 1/4/2022 at 12:59 PM, ManchesterEagle said:

Would he fit within a 4-3 scheme (ie can he put his hand in the dirt)?

You can always put him at OLB if he can cover when needed, that pretty much what he played when standing.  

19 hours ago, kiwieagle said:

I hear you but I want them to swing for the fences for someone who can be a real impact playmaker from the DE position. He has that upside, and with where we are picking you have to take a little more risk to get someone with that upside at such a premium position.

There are others more polished but limited athletes as well - I’d just prefer them going for the high upside DE this time around. Btw Oweh was similar last year without the production but looks like he will be a player in the NFL because of that athleticism 

Agree.  I do pick him in all my mocks (harder now that picks are lower).  But I am also adding 1-2 additional DE picks later with speed project guys in hybrid 3-4 OLB / 4-3 DE mode.  I think Gannon really wants to be more multiple and Eagles need to load up in front 7.

Seeing a few mocks today that are picking him for the Eagles

Since he lived in Aberdeen Scotland for 10 years before heading over on a basketball scholarship I'd love to see the Eagles take a punt on him, he's likely to go around where we are drafting as well!  🙂