Quite a lot of eyes shall be centered on quarterback Lamar Jackson or broad receiver Odell Beckham Jr. when the Ravens open coaching camp in late July, however probably the most intriguing participant shall be second-year outdoors linebacker David Ojabo.
If he performs as much as his potential, Ojabo might turn out to be the elite, younger go rusher the Ravens have coveted since Terrell Suggs left Baltimore after the 2018 season.
“If they’re not setting their goals high enough and your vision isn’t big enough for your players, you’re not doing the right things, especially as a coach,” Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald mentioned. “So, of course we have big visions for ‘Ja’ and the things that we want him to be able to do.”
The Ravens have had their share of robust go rushers, together with defensive finish Michael McCrary, defensive sort out Sam Adams and out of doors linebackers Elvis Dumervil and Justin Houston.
But Suggs and fellow outdoors linebacker Peter Boulware have been much more particular as a result of they have been drafted by Baltimore. Boulware was the Ravens’ high decide, fourth general, out of Florida State within the 1997 draft, and Suggs got here six years later because the No. 10 general decide from Arizona State.
Suggs is the Ravens’ all-time sack chief with 132 1/2 in 229 video games, and Boulware completed with 70 sacks in 126 video games.
Ojabo has that form of potential.
“He’s here and he’s developed,” Macdonald mentioned of Ojabo, who was the Ravens’ second-round decide in 2022. “He had all this time to learn the scheme, learn the drills, build the foundation and get physically stronger. Mentally, he’s in a great spot, so I think it’s all positive.”
Ojabo understands what can occur for him right here. That’s why he tried to speak Suggs into permitting him to put on the previous Ravens star’s No. 55 jersey, the identical quantity Ojabo wore at Michigan.
Suggs’ response was classic Suggs: Thanks, however no thanks. Translation: Hey, younger fella, go construct your individual legend.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Ojabo has all of the instruments. He is lengthy and rangy like Boulware, although not as thick as Suggs. The one factor that separated Suggs is that he might change route and do it with energy in both his arms or his legs.
Ojabo, although, has an assortment of strikes. Unlike fellow outdoors linebacker and good friend Odafe Oweh, who’s a one-dimensional velocity rusher, Ojabo has the quickness to show the nook in addition to the energy to win in hand-to-hand fight towards most offensive linemen.
During the offseason, he seems to have added 5 to 10 kilos of bulk within the chest and shoulder areas.
“I put on a solid, probably, 10 pounds of muscle,” Ojabo mentioned. “It’s more confidence, will help me be more stable in myself going up against grown men, now. So, it’s all just a big confidence boost.”
As far as assembly expectations, Ojabo isn’t fazed.
“It’s never pressure; it’s just what we do,” he mentioned. “I’m just excited to be out there with my brothers and just play football.”
Ojabo discovered lots final season, regardless that he noticed solely vital motion within the regular-season finale towards Cincinnati, when he sacked Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
He missed most of final season after he tore his Achilles tendon final March at his professional day. He nonetheless had some positive lecturers in Houston, who led the Ravens in sacks final season with 9 1/2, and defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who served as a tricky man tutor.
Now, it’s his present time — and time to place the damage behind him.
“Honestly, I’m tired of hearing about it. I’m really tired. It’s in my past,” Ojabo mentioned. “I’ve grown from it. It’s made me stronger. And yes, I’m ready to move on from it. I’m 110%.”
Few of the Ravens know Ojabo higher than Macdonald. He was the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator in 2021 when Ojabo had 11 sacks.
“I think he can rush inside and out,” Macdonald mentioned. “The ability set, and it simply will get on you somewhat faster inside, in order that’s one thing it’s a must to get used to somewhat bit. We’ll most likely begin him outdoors and see the place it goes from there — much like what we did with Odafe final 12 months.
“As far as I know, he’s ready to roll.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com