David Ojabo is playing football again, which means the smile is back on his face.
After two injury-plagued seasons, Ojabo is doing what he loves and making strides toward fulfilling his promise. Just nine months after ACL surgery, the outside linebacker had an impressive spin move, a quarterback hit and played solid run defense in Saturday's 13-12 victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
Returning to action and making plays gives Ojabo even more confidence as he looks forward to Thursday's joint practice with the Green Bay Packers, followed by Saturday's preseason finale.
"There's no better feeling honestly," Ojabo said. "This is what I do for a living. I love competing. To be out here with the best of the best, it's a dream come true yet again."
Ojabo's preseason debut offered a glimpse of his potential to become a consistent contributor during the 2024 season. He is a gifted athlete who would've been a first-round pick if not for a torn Achilles suffered during his Pro Day in 2022 about a month before the draft.
The Ravens still selected Ojabo in the second round, but he only played three games as a rookie, then appeared in just two games last season before electing for season-ending surgery. Ojabo said he could have continued playing last season, but having surgery was the proper long-term decision.
"For the long run career wise, and for my best interests, the team's best interests, just go ahead and get it fixed so I could be back 100% like I am now," Ojabo said.
Spending so much time being unable to play was difficult for Ojabo, but he leaned on teammates – brothers, as he called them – such as Odafe Oweh and Justin Madubuike for support. Coaches and players have always believed in Ojabo's ability, and his resiliency has impressed Head Coach Harbaugh.
"I can't tell you how many conversations David and I have had that are just awesome conversations – about a lot of things," Harbaugh said. "He's very smart, he's a very deep thinker – kind of a philosopher, he really is, and I learn a lot talking to him.
"He's kept his head on straight and keeps things in perspective. He's got a really strong family. I don't know that I really had to say anything other than the fact that conversation is good sometimes, but he's been in a good place. I think he gets down because he wants to get out there and contribute, and he wants to be a part of it, but he's excited to get going."
Oweh and Kyle Van Noy lead the outside backer rotation, but there is room for Ojabo to earn regular snaps. In addition to his pass rushing, his strength and ability to disengage from blocks makes him an effective run defender. Harbaugh described Ojabo's run defense as "stout" against Atlanta, after Ojabo was not medically cleared to play in the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles.
"I kind of expect David to play like that, but to see it out there the very first game, it was really neat, because he wasn't tentative at all," Harbaugh said. "He was in a good mindset – in a gameday mindset, and he hadn't played that much in the last couple of years, so that was a quite a statement from him that way. Really the way he's been practicing is the way he played, so that's what you want to see."
Now the key for Ojabo is to stay healthy. He has always loved playing football after getting a late start in high school, but the last two seasons have made him even more appreciative.
"You never know when it's going to be your last snap, so just cherish every moment," Ojabo said. "I'm in a very blessed position, playing in the NFL for one of the best organizations. Every day I'm out here I'm just smiling through it."
