He Gone? Kiper Ranks Ojabo as 10th Overall Player
Looked and didn't see this posted. Title says it all. It's an Insider piece so it's blocked by a nominal paywall. Link
Here's the important bit.
Ojabo has been one of the most impressive newcomers in the country this season. A third-year sophomore who spent his youth in Nigeria and Scotland (check out my new colleague Jordan Reid's piece on him for more), Ojabo has eight sacks and four forced fumbles playing on the other side of Aidan Hutchinson. He has flashed advanced pass-rush moves -- check out this spin on the right tackle for a strip sack against Indiana -- and his athletic traits pop on tape. While Ojabo needs to work on his all-around game, there's a lot to like. He's still young; he could develop into a elite edge rusher.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:29 AM ^
I dunno.
Can we just enjoy this season?
November 10th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
If he is smart he will play one more season in Ann Arbor and fortify his draft stock.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
If he's a 1st round lock, he'd be smart to go get his money and say 'Michigan' while being introduced on SNF.
November 10th, 2021 at 12:31 PM ^
I love it when guys come back, but if you're a 1st round lock then you should definitely go. Even the best guys are usually done by your early 30s. It'll suck if we only have one year of Ojabo, but if he's a 1st round lock he needs to go get paid
November 10th, 2021 at 6:22 PM ^
If he is a first round pick, especially top 10 he should go. But right now that is Kipers thoughts. Have to see what NFL scouts think of a guy who has had 9 very good college games and not much else to push him up the rankings
November 10th, 2021 at 11:06 AM ^
NFL scouts don't know this but Ojabo is only 5'10" without his super-high cleats. Probably not even worth scouting.
He should really come back one more year and see if he can grow to 6'5" ahead of the 2023 draft.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:09 AM ^
They need to see him play a full year without Aiden. That is the only way to truly get a good scout on him.
November 10th, 2021 at 12:05 PM ^
I'm not picking on you, IDK, but I don't know that I dislike anything more on the internet than the "this" comment. There's a thumbs up button to click if you agree with something on this site. Or if you have more to add, you can comment and say "I agree with this. Ojabo has been excellent this year but could use another year to prove that he can be as productive without Hutch on the opposite side of the line....blah blah blah".
/end mini rant
November 10th, 2021 at 12:28 PM ^
Ya made me laugh, 96.
I was going to write "I agree with this. Ojabo has been excellent this year but could use another year to prove that he can be as productive without Hutch on the opposite side of the line....blah blah blah."
Yours is better.
November 10th, 2021 at 12:12 PM ^
Ojabo has been a huge surprise for sure but Aiden is doing it with a double team and a running back waiting on him on every pass play. Kind of like Winnovich who’s a great player in his one right and Rashan.
November 10th, 2021 at 12:48 PM ^
Wouldn't it then make sense for Ojabo to leave after this year, as his production may wane without Hutchinson commanding all the attention?
My hope is that Ojabo and Hutchinson play themselves into the top five by decimating PSU, Maryland, and OSU and leading us to a BIG championship and playoff birth. If this happens, I will be happy to see them declare, as the requisite culture shift from the "entitled program culture" (e.g., "this is Michigan forgodsakes") back to the "winning culture" (e.g., "OSU is undefeated and looking unbeatable, can't wait until we spoil that national championship bid next week") will have occurred with the next wave of leaders ready to instill it in the next team. IMO, that's what we've been sorely missing since the early 2000s and why typically lose the big games when it gets tight, especially on the road. I really think it takes that one team to change the culture, and when it happens it can be passed down from class to class until another team screws it up. Bo did it, Tressel did it, Dantonio did it. Bo's lasted for a long time, and Tressel's remains until today. Dantonio's was screwed up by the 2016 team and he was never able to recapture it.
November 10th, 2021 at 1:00 PM ^
10th overall?! I’d rate him as 300.
Only way to prove me wrong is to come back for the 2022 season.
In all seriousness though I assumed this was coming. Dude seems to get a strip sack a game*
*until corrupt officials get involved
November 10th, 2021 at 3:29 PM ^
Yes, if he's really top half of first round based on potential, he needs to leave, unfortunately. Far more likely to see his production wane / not realize the potential than it is to improve enough to help his draft stock further.
November 10th, 2021 at 3:12 PM ^
Exactly. Teams are doubling Aiden leaving Ojabo to one-on-one. He needs a year of being the man to determine how good he is. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it.
November 10th, 2021 at 4:07 PM ^
But.....I didn't think we developed players?
November 10th, 2021 at 8:51 PM ^
If you are smart, you want him to go if he is told he’s a top 10 pick. Two possible top 10 defenders will have a positive impact on this defensive staff getting elite players to come play here. Braiden is next in line, and I believe he’s got a high ceiling, too.
Yeah, I’d love for Ojabo to stay because I called his ascension and he is fun to watch. Yet, the program can handle that kid of “attrition by top level draft pick.”
November 10th, 2021 at 11:44 PM ^
If he is smart he'd do the exact opposite if he's going to go in the first round.
...or was that sarcasm?
November 10th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
He's likely gone. Really good production and still a lot of untapped potential. I wouldn't come back next year if I was him since I wouldn't have Hutchinson opposite me and my production might dip
November 10th, 2021 at 10:46 AM ^
OTOH, many teams may question whether he can do it without Hutchinson and Ojabo may improve his stock by coming back. I question whether drafting teams would really have Ojabo that high, but if they do, you are right, he may decide to go.
November 10th, 2021 at 12:03 PM ^
I like watching him abuse QBs but the NFL loves potential. You know what else they like? Fast rising athletes that abuse QBs.
November 10th, 2021 at 12:05 PM ^
Did you ever think that having Ojabo on the other side made Hutchinson more effective too?
Time for the next man to rise to the occasion in 2022 - Mike Morris, Taylor Upshaw, Braiden McGregor, etc.
November 12th, 2021 at 7:42 AM ^
Of course, all good players make their teammates better, but Aidan is the one getting double teamed every play.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
cmon. i hope not. come back for one more year to be "the guy". the "izzo" effect.. Him in the top 10 is ridiculous though. Perhaps on potential, but no way. I doubt hutch goes in the top 10. Not becuase he's not a top 10 player, but thats not how the draft goes
November 10th, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
This draft will be incredibly weak, especially at the top. I think I saw Daniel Jeremiah or someone else that does draft stuff say there would be 10 guys from last years draft that would go before the number 1 pick this year. That's likely a stretch but it's going to be pretty bad. That, combined with the fact that Hutchinson won't be across from him next year leads me to think he should go, especially if this momentum keeps going. Honestly, based on upside, I'm not sure who I'd take between him and Hutch. His upside might be higher as a pass rusher and that's what teams want to pay for.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:06 AM ^
We'll see how these last 3 games go. If he dominates PSU and OSU. Good luck in the league young man. If he's held in check/limited impact he probably comes back.
OSU will be the litmus test. They pass a ton. If him and Hutch are living in the qb's lap then we have a good shot.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:30 AM ^
If he gets us a couple of strip sacks to beat OSU I will buy his NFL jersey.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:35 AM ^
Or just buy his Um jersey
November 10th, 2021 at 11:37 AM ^
This draft will be incredibly weak, especially at the top. I think I saw Daniel Jeremiah or someone else that does draft stuff say there would be 10 guys from last years draft that would go before the number 1 pick this year. That's likely a stretch but it's going to be pretty bad.
I'm betting it's not a stretch. Now you're starting to see the impact of just how far the stench from the Detroit Lions franchise can spread. At this point, they have the #1 overall pick next year plus the Rams' 1st round pick. Of course the draft will be one of the weakest in a long time.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:55 AM ^
Or could it be parents shifting their kids away from football because of concussions? When did concussions become a big deal? 10 years ago?
November 10th, 2021 at 1:12 PM ^
It’s not going to be an incredibly weak draft.
November 11th, 2021 at 9:26 AM ^
So, the Lions will get the first draft pick in the weakest draft in the past 10 years. You can't make this shit up.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:20 AM ^
I doubt hutch goes in the top 10
Based on what? I haven't seen him in a Mock draft going lower than #12 and I think most people have him as like the ~#5 best player in the draft
November 10th, 2021 at 11:42 AM ^
Based on the inevitable QB hype that comes down the line, the TE the lions will pick, etc... Maybe I'm wrong, because he does grade out so well as a TJ Watt type i guess, but... and maybe the combine will vault him. I just see these projections mid-season, and then see these guys slowly slip as the workout warriors, QBs, and others slide up, based on potential. Aiden is a good mix of potential and production, so I'm happy to be wrong. I think he's probably a top 10-15 pick, just saying... lots of factors other than "best in college fb"
November 10th, 2021 at 10:32 AM ^
Prisoner of the moment list. Ojabo is still likely a first rounder, but could improve his draft stock like Aidan did by coming back for another year.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
People who make draft picks are also prisoners of the moment.
Different situation. Aidan probably would not have been a first rounder after last season. If Ojabo is a first rounder, which at this point he is trending towards, he should probably go. As much as I would love to see him stay another year.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:43 AM ^
Or he could get injured and lose everything. If he's a first rounder this year, it's a no brainer to enter the draft.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:23 AM ^
Yeah, fair enough. Guess my fandom is clouding my judgement. Would stink to lose him, but hoping he and Aidan kill it to finish the season!
November 10th, 2021 at 12:09 PM ^
This is almost exactly what I was going to write- you nailed it. Chris Olave is great, but is he really going to go much higher this year than he would have last year, even with a weakened draft? I doubt it. What if he burns his knee next week? He cost himself millions - you could argue he cost himself millions by staying if healthy (1 less annual pay day from NFL) If you play this tough sport and will be a 1st rounder (or maybe even early second rounder) YOU GO. I hope Ojabo stays, but good luck to him and how great to have another 1st rounder associated with the program.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:34 AM ^
I just want him to improve enough that his next trip to Indianapolis is next month in the Big Ten Championship.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
If the NFL draft board gives him a 1st round grade, then he should go. And that is a good thing for the program.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:37 AM ^
Can we get a megadonor to sponsor the edge rusher position? Next year, he can be the Stephen M. Ross starting strong-side defensive end. Daxton can be the Rich Eisen starting strong safety.
November 10th, 2021 at 11:54 AM ^
Or it could be the Stephen M Ross Rush End ... and then count the snaps. So that the "starter" isn't the only guy getting the NIL receipts. Try to spread it around a bit.
November 10th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
Ross would probably rather just draft him for his shitty Dolphins for free lol
November 10th, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
It is crazy how much Ojabo has improved and has basically come out of nowhere this year.
November 10th, 2021 at 8:31 PM ^
Ojabo was talked about the potential of being this from the beginning.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:41 AM ^
Ojabo is 100% going pro. His goal in coming to Michigan was to be seen to make money and support him family.
He is almost guaranteed to be a 1st round pick (and should be!). He's going to be a multi-millionarie next May.
November 10th, 2021 at 10:42 AM ^
SSHHHHH!
November 10th, 2021 at 10:42 AM ^
One year starter is not enough :/