2022 NFL Draft Prospects to Watch: Michigan vs. Michigan State

Michigan DE David Ojabo

The NFL Draft process is about potential. At its most basic level, it’s often about skills, tools, and pure athletic ability. Many NFL teams believe they can take an amazing athlete and make him a terrific football player. A lot of times they’re correct. But sometimes it’s the players themselves that begin to put it all together. And that might be happening with David Ojabo.

Ojabo is a unique talent with an uncommon backstory. His parents are of Nigerian descent, and his hometown is listed as Aberdeen, Scotland. His family moved to the United States, and Ojabo went to high school in New Jersey. He was a four-star prospect and while in high school, Ojabo took home the state title in the 100-meter dash with a time of 10.93 seconds. He didn’t start playing football until he was a junior in high school, and he didn’t play in any games his first year at Michigan.

Ojabo’s sophomore year at Michigan had him playing on special teams and he officially recorded one tackle all season. This year, David Ojabo has arrived. The junior edge rusher has flashed some ability this year. In Michigan’s game against Washington on September 11th, he used a nifty spin move to record a sack and recovered a fumble on a different play.

Against Wisconsin, Ojabo notched 2.5 sacks and forced a fumble, utilizing a devastating outside speed rush to get home more than once. By the end of the game Wisconsin was double teaming him. Three weeks later against Northwestern, David Ojabo recorded half a sack and had a career high three passes defended. His length at 6’5” 250, his speed, and his agility dating back to his high school days where he played soccer and basketball, make Ojabo a tantalizing 2022 NFL Draft prospect. Skeptics might say that Ojabo has benefited from lining up opposite teammate and future first round pick Aidan Hutchinson. And they may have a point. Let’s take a look at the best 2022 NFL Draft prospect in this game, Aidan Hutchinson.