Scotland’s David Ojabo suffered torn Achilles during Pro Day

| American Football | 03/20/2022

Nigerian-born and Scotland-raised David Ojabo, a standout edge rusher for the University of Michigan Wolverines and legitimate NFL prospect suffered a torn Achilles at Michigan’s Pro Day workout, wincing in pain after he went down to the turf.

The NFL Network reported Friday that the defensive end was injured in a pass-rushing drill and went down clutching his left leg. Ojabo, who is ranked by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the 2022 NFL draft and had been projected as a first-round pick, needed the help of his trainers to get off the field after he suffered the injury Friday.

“He was wincing in pain,” Michigan teammate Aidan Hutchinson said. “I’m hoping he’s all right.”

Ojabo’s injury may affect his chances of being one of the top picks in the NFL draft next month. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, doctors expect Ojabo to be on a similar recovery timeline to Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers, who tore an Achilles in July and returned to play in about six months. That would put Ojabo in line to miss a few weeks of the 2022 regular season.

Ojabo earned second-team All-American honors for this past season racking up 11 sacks, 35 tackles, and five forced fumbles.

The future pro spent the first seven years of his life in Nigeria before he and his family moved to Aberdeenshire, Scotland. While growing up on the country’s northeastern coast, Ojabo always stood out athletically, dominating his peers in soccer, basketball, and track and field. He even ran a 10.8 100- meter dash, while soaring for rebounds over taller players on the basketball court.

After moving to the US to pursue his athletic endeavors Ojabo ended up trying out for the high school football team at Blair Academy in New Jersey and quickly got the hang of it as he racked up 35 scholarship offers after his first season. Scouts drooled over his massive frame, long arms, and quick first step. Ojabo went on to choose Michigan over blue-chip programs such as Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Tennesse.

Adjusting to the college game, however, proved to be more of a challenge. Sitting behind future NFL Draft picks Josh Uche and Kwity Paye in his first two seasons, the former Scottish track star didn’t see much action. That changed in his junior year. Ojabo saw his draft stock rise throughout the season and helped the Wolverines make it to the College Football Playoff for the first time while winning the Big Ten championship.

Roger Kelly is an editor and a writer for AFI. A former PR Director the B.C. Lions of the Canadian Football League for 7 years, he now lives in Sweden writing about and scouting American Football throughout the world.