David Ojabo has never been one to take the easy route. Born in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and raised in Scotland, his path to the NFL was anything but conventional. Yet through every twist, every challenge, and every setback, he’s stayed true to the quiet force that has guided him: work ethic, humility, and unwavering belief in himself. As he enters what many are calling a pivotal year in his young career, Ojabo is proving that persistence—combined with patience—can be a powerful formula for success.
After an electrifying rise at Michigan, where he became one of the most feared pass rushers in college football alongside Aidan Hutchinson, Ojabo’s NFL dreams came crashing down just weeks before the 2022 Draft. During Michigan’s pro day, a torn Achilles sent shockwaves through the league and cast a shadow over his draft stock. It was cruel timing. Ojabo had gone from a raw, little-known athlete to a projected first-round pick in under two years. That one injury turned everything upside down.
Still, the Baltimore Ravens believed. They selected Ojabo in the second round, willing to wait on his recovery and bet on his upside. That belief would be tested as Ojabo spent nearly his entire rookie season rehabbing and learning from the sideline. He made a brief debut late in the year, flashing the speed and athleticism that made him a top prospect, but the sample size was small. The real test would come in 2023.
Ojabo entered his second season with renewed hope, his Achilles fully healed and a role carved out for him in a Ravens defense known for its history of dominant edge rushers. But fate had more adversity in store. Just three games into the 2023 campaign, Ojabo suffered a partially torn ACL, prematurely ending another season before it truly began. Two years, two significant injuries. For most young players, it would be enough to shake confidence or cause doubt to creep in. But David Ojabo is not most young players.
What separates Ojabo isn’t just his physical tools, which are undeniably elite. It’s the way he responds to adversity—with a quiet resolve, an internal fire, and an approach rooted in discipline. Instead of sulking or questioning why things went wrong, Ojabo kept showing up to the facility. He stayed around the team, attacked rehab with purpose, and maintained the same humility and optimism that made him a beloved figure in the locker room. He trained in silence, often posting only cryptic captions on social media that hinted at the work being done behind the scenes. While the world moved on to the next big thing, Ojabo kept his head down.
That mentality has won him the respect of teammates, coaches, and fans alike. Veteran Ravens like Roquan Smith and Marlon Humphrey have spoken about Ojabo’s resilience and the infectious energy he brings even when not on the field. Inside the Ravens’ building, the belief in Ojabo hasn’t wavered. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr recently said Ojabo “hasn’t missed a beat” in offseason workouts and looks “faster and more confident than ever.” The former Michigan standout has reportedly added muscle to his frame and is moving with fluidity that suggests he’s close to 100 percent.
The Ravens need him, too. With the departure of Jadeveon Clowney and questions about pass rush depth, Ojabo has a golden opportunity to establish himself as a key cog in the defense. His blend of burst, bend, and length gives Baltimore something it doesn’t quite have elsewhere on the roster. If healthy, he could very well emerge as a breakout candidate in 2025. That’s a big “if,” but there’s growing optimism that Ojabo’s days of bad luck are finally behind him.
It’s easy to forget just how dominant Ojabo was at Michigan. In 2021, he racked up 11 sacks, five forced fumbles, and 12 tackles for loss in just his first year as a full-time starter. He didn’t even begin playing football until his junior year of high school, yet his natural feel for the game—paired with elite athleticism—made him a nightmare for offensive tackles. His spin move, in particular, was already NFL-caliber. Scouts were wowed not just by his production but by how quickly he adapted to coaching. He soaked up knowledge like a sponge and played with a motor that never quit.
That hunger hasn’t gone anywhere. If anything, it’s been magnified. Ojabo knows time is precious in the NFL. He’s missed significant development time and valuable in-game reps. But he’s spent that time studying film, working on technique, and improving the mental side of his game. The Ravens believe that when Ojabo gets back on the field, he won’t just be trying to catch up—he’ll be ready to make an impact.
Ojabo’s story resonates not just because of the adversity he’s faced, but because of how he’s handled it. He hasn’t complained. He hasn’t pointed fingers. He hasn’t begged for sympathy. He’s done the work, and he’s trusted the process. That’s rare in a league driven by instant results and media narratives. He’s focused on the long game, and now, it may finally be his time.
The 2025 season represents a clean slate. Ojabo is healthy, the Ravens are poised to contend again, and the defense has a need for someone to step up opposite Odafe Oweh. The two former college teammates could become one of the league’s most dynamic edge duos if things click. Baltimore’s scheme is tailor-made for athletic pass rushers who can win with speed and technique, and Ojabo fits that mold perfectly. His ceiling remains sky-high.
More importantly, Ojabo is still just 24 years old. His career is far from defined by injuries. In many ways, it’s just beginning. He hasn’t lost a step physically, and mentally, he’s in a better place than ever. There’s something to be said about the character it takes to keep showing up when no one’s watching, to believe in yourself when the noise around you suggests otherwise. That’s what Ojabo has done.
There’s a quiet confidence to the way he carries himself these days. He doesn’t make bold proclamations or demand attention. He doesn’t need to. He’s let his actions speak louder than any words. Teammates notice. Coaches notice. The league is starting to notice. And if he delivers on the promise he showed at Michigan, the Ravens could be looking at one of the league’s most inspiring comeback stories.
Of course, the road ahead won’t be easy. The NFL is a relentless business, and nothing is guaranteed. But Ojabo has already beaten the odds multiple times. He’s gone from a Nigerian-born soccer kid in Scotland to a football star in the U.S., from injury-riddled disappointment to potential breakout player. That arc alone is something worth celebrating.
And if the next chapter of David Ojabo’s story includes a healthy, productive season in Baltimore, it won’t come as a surprise to those who’ve been paying attention. Because while others may have forgotten about him, Ojabo never stopped believing. He never stopped working. And now, with his head down and spirits high, he’s ready to rise.
