Michigan football: David Ojabo, potential first-round 2022 NFL Draft pick, injured at pro day

David Ojabo, the former Michigan football star and potential first-round 2022 NFL Draft pick, suffered an injury during the Wolverines' pro day on Friday.

Ojabo tore his Achilles as a result of the injury, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, adding that doctors expect he'll make a full recovery.

But that process will take about six to nine months, according to medical experts. A study of almost 100 NFL players showed that 73 percent of those who suffered the injury were able to return to their careers, but that the injury was career-ending for 28 percent of the players analyzed.

Ojabo went down during drills and clutched his left leg. Trainers helped him up and off the field, though reports indicate he didn't need a cart to get back to the sideline.

"Observers at Michigan's pro day said it 'got very quiet' the moment David Ojabo got hurt," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

A former four-star recruit from Blair Academy in New Jersey in the 2019 recruiting class, Ojabo originally rated as the No. 7 player from the state and a Top 10 strong side defensive end before signing with Michigan.

Ojabo recorded 35 combined tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, and had 11 sacks for the Wolverines, who finished at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The defensive end followed his 2021 campaign with a solid showing at the NFL Combine, posting an official 4.55 second showing in the 40-yard dash and running the 20-yard shuttle in 4.45 seconds. Ojabo notched 35 inches on the vertical jump and 122 inches in the broad jump.

NFL Draft analyst Lance Zierlein evaluated Ojabo as a player with tremendous physical upside provided he can fine-tune his technique over his rookie season.

"Emerging edge defender who should see a substantial leap in play consistency with more time to work on his technique and learn the game," Zierlein said.

"At times, the run tape can be a rough study, but it improved as the 2021 season progressed. Ojabo's rush approach is fairly sophisticated with the feet and agility to juke, stutter, spin, and race his way past offensive tackles."

Ojabo, in tandem with presumptive No. 1 NFL Draft selection Aidan Hutchinson, formed one of the most athletic pass rush combos in the Big Ten a year ago. Michigan earned its first-ever College Football Playoff berth in large part from its ability to pressure quarterbacks with both players in a prominent role.

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