Ojabo’s Numbers before 2021

Submitted by blue in dc on January 2nd, 2022 at 1:36 PM

While it is not going to be easy to replace Hutchinson and Ojabo, I don’t think anyone was predicting either of them to have double digit sacks this year.   I imagine that if most heard going into the season they were going to combine for 10 sacks this year they would have been happy.

Before 2021, Ojabo had 1 career tackle (not sack, tackle).    Hutchinson had 4.5 career sacks.   Doubling that number would have been great.  Instead Hutchinson more than tripled it (note that one place in his bio credits him with 13, another with 14 - not sure which is right).

I am not suggesting that there are two players who are going to have double digit sacks next year, but I do think we are going to have edge rushers step up and surprise us.   

jdemille9

January 2nd, 2022 at 1:46 PM ^

For me, Ojabo was far more of a surprise than Hutchinson was. Definitely didn't think Hutch would get 14 sacks, but he was poised for a breakout season. Ojabo was just a complete unknown - and while that can happen it is highly unlikely we see that again on next year's team. 

My money is on a strong secondary to fuel the pass rush next year. Moore and Moten should take a step forward, Will Johnson is a day 1 starter and instant upgrade to the secondary. Add in one, or both, of guys like Berry and Sabb and the secondary has a very good shot to be the strength of the defense. 

Either way, I think we can all be very confident that this staff will put these guys in the best positions to succeed. 

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jdemille9

January 3rd, 2022 at 11:32 AM ^

CB is one position where being a 5-star does matter. It is so dependent on athleticism and Johnson is no exception. I can see him sliding in the nickel CB spot very nicely to start off. 

I also don't expect both Green and Gray to be invited back, that is a big factor in my assumption. Experience counts for a lot but none of Gray, Green or Turner are the caliber of athlete Johnson is and none of them have blown us away with how good they are. Add in that I don't think all three remain on the roster and there is a very good chance Johnson is a day 1 starter. 

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JonnyHintz

January 3rd, 2022 at 2:32 PM ^

There’s still a huge learning curve coming out of high school for those kids, and there is ZERO reason all three of those guys won’t be invited back. That would be coaching malpractice to not invite one of your top 3 corners back. 
 

So expecting a kid fresh out of high school to not only surpass at least 2 of 3 guys with starting experience, but to do so from day 1 and be better than those guys isn’t remotely realistic. 
 

At best you’re looking at him rotating in early and wrestling a starting spot away mid season. Long term he has the most upside of any of them. Expecting that to show from day 1 isn’t realistic. He’s going to have hiccups and make freshman mistakes. 

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Lakeyale13

January 2nd, 2022 at 1:53 PM ^

Not a snarky comment, truly ignorant, what has been the word on Braiden McGregor? Had high hopes for him. If my memory serves me, he had a horrible knee injury his senior year of HS.  

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Jibbroni

January 2nd, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^

Break out player next year hopefully.  I’d like to see Mike Morris lose a little weight and get faster so he can play more on the edge.  Morris, T.J. Guy, Harrell, Bennett, McGregor, Upshaw etc.   Should be a good group.  Linebackers should be better too with another year in the system. 

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M-GO-Beek

January 2nd, 2022 at 1:59 PM ^

while Ojabo's numbers came out of nowhere, there was always talk of "if he can put it together" showing the potential was there. Unfortunately, no one else has seemed to have that kind of hype except maybe McGregor pre-knee injury. Hopefully he has been able to fully heal and will be the upside surprise for next year. Otherwise I suspect we will have competent but not world beating ends.

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Blue Ballin'

January 2nd, 2022 at 3:26 PM ^

At the time he graduate, he was such a big get for us. I believe he was even ranked about the same, or even a hair higher, nationally, than Hutchinson when he graduated a year after Hutch. He did manage to log some early playing time this year in non-crucial snaps to get his confidence back in both his game and the health of his knee, but also took snaps against Washington, Wisconsin, Rutgers, and Nebraska and still has three years of eligibility remaining. Not sure how he's been in the weight room, and haven't heard much about his motor/aggression, but his size and potential seem like a good place to start. Granted, Hutchinson's commitment was unique this year, but if McGregor takes the opportunity by the horns after seeing Hutchinson's dedication this year, he could be at least a solid piece of next year's defense. With the transfer portal so appealing to players buried on the depth chart, I'd hate to see him leave without making a run at significant playing time next year, because, while we know kids like Hutchinson don't come along every day, we've learned that you never know when the light will go on for a young player. (Plus, I hate to see four-star talent leave the program.) We'll just have to see where he stands when they emerge from the submarine next August.

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Double-D

January 2nd, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^

MacDonald I suspect deserves some credit for our Edge production.  That’s not to take anything away from Ojabo and Hutch. They were sensational.

Good coaching let’s great players thrive. 

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m1817

January 2nd, 2022 at 3:19 PM ^

In the 2021 NFL draft, four year contracts for first round draft picks ranged from $11.2 million for the #32 pick to $36.8 million for the #1 pick.  Kwity Paye selected at #21 got $13.6 million including a $7.3 million signing bonus.  If Ojabo is selected in the first round as expected, he doesn't have to worry about playing school.  

BTW, if Hutchinson is selected in the top five, he can expect to receive at least $31 million with a $20 million signing bonus.

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Save Us Mel

January 3rd, 2022 at 1:14 AM ^

Ojabo could vastly improve his play in every area other than pass rushing.  He only played 26 snaps against Georgia because he isn't good against the run.  So say he comes back and significantly improves his overall game and goes from an end of the first round pick to the #12 pick (for comparison purposes).  That's $6 million more in his contract.  It's not silly to consider coming back for that.

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outsidethebox

January 3rd, 2022 at 10:20 AM ^

That is correct-your last paragraph. The pros draft and pay for potential for a reason-they are very good at developing talent...D. Robinson, J. Poole, R. Gary...on and on...that Brady guy. Ojabo has every kind of talent-from physical to mental. It would be great for Michigan football if he stayed-I do not expect him to.

Macdonald did a great job elevating this team's defense-coming in cold...without knowing the talent he had to work with. I expect the elevation in play to take another leap next year-from both the player and the coaching side.

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Mr. Elbel

January 2nd, 2022 at 6:43 PM ^

I would love Ojabo to stay for selfish reasons, but that man needs to get paid. There wont be Aidan eating doubles and gameplans for breakfast on the other edge next year. He's essentially a first round lock. The risk is too great. He could improve his draftability and possibly his long-term career with another year of development (not to mention a degree). But his stock can only go so high, and a long NFL career is anything but guaranteed.

On the flip side, he could easily play himself out of the first with all the leadership and production we're losing on D. Add in the fact that he cant get NIL and he needs go get drafted in the first round while thats still on the table. Take the life-changing payday and run with it.

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Blake Forum

January 2nd, 2022 at 2:26 PM ^

There are a number of guys I'm excited about at the edge spots, but Jaylen Harrell in particular intrigues me with his versatility. Seems like a guy who can do a lot of traditional ILB things (such as drop into coverage and get after rushers in space), while also rushing the passer and setting the edge on the line of scrimmage. And clearly the coaches already really like him

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OwenGoBlue

January 3rd, 2022 at 2:01 PM ^

If Harrell can add some pass rush he’ll be a standout. New defense suits him much better than the old one. 

As you allude to, a lot of other guys who could become dudes. Given our DC’s background I think about how Baltimore has had success manufacturing pressure over the years while rarely investing significantly in elite pass rushers.

I still would feel a lot better if they can get a proven dude from the portal to pair with the up and comers. 

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BlueinLansing

January 2nd, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^

Ojabo would be making a mistake going pro, he's not ready.  Georgia schooled him and he benefitted alot from defenses worrying about Hutchinson on the otherside so much.  But his draft stock may never be higher.

 

 

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Ghost of Fritz…

January 2nd, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^

Even if one thinks Ojabo is talented but still a bit raw, isn't it true that he would improve more as a full-time pro than as a college player that has to go to class, etc. (and get paid to work through his rawness)...

As much as I want guys to stay for all five eligible years at Michigan...if guys are going in the first or second rounds, there usually is no good reason to stay in college.  

Maybe there are a few instances where a second-rounder could stay one more year in college and turn himself into a top 10 pick...  But even then, injury risk has to be factored in.

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OuldSod

January 2nd, 2022 at 5:23 PM ^

I suspect 80% of the time going pro is the better development route and 99% the better financial route. 

A small % of the time, going pro, getting paid, and the culture change may be more distracting and less focussed than college. Some persons may continue to do better in the college environment where the coaches are also excellent. A 21 year old may fit in better with 18-22 year olds and find it difficult to adjust to 23-35 year olds. The structure of college and it's distractions may be preferable to the structure of the NFL and the different distractions. 

But Ojabo can get a $7m signing bonus. He can take out $500k -$250 to live, $125k for a $600k house down payment for him, and $125k for his family - and he can park the rest in an index fund and live off the $250k in annual interest forever without drawing down the principal. He should do that until and if he gets his second contract. Then he can park that signing bonus in the fund and he can have $500k/year in perpetuity and own a house in Florida and a condo in whatever city he is playing in, in addition to all his other contract income. If he doesn't get a second contract because he doesn't develop, he still has $250k/year in perpetuity. That's pretty much all a first rounder needs to adhere to financially. I know it's not that simple given distractions, people asking for $ and bad advice, but that's the basic formula.

You go to college to get a good job where you can make your money work for you later in life earlier than not going to college. Ojabo should do that. 

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jhayes1189

January 2nd, 2022 at 2:44 PM ^

Harbaugh has had an edge rusher or 2 step up every year outside of 2020 (when Hutch and Kwity were done before end of 3rd game, and Covid year)

Someone will step and be very good, maybe not an all American, but very good. The trajectory fo Harbaugh’s defensive ends shows this to be true more often than not. My money is on a combination of Mike Morris, Jaylen Harrell and even Kris Jenkins, not to mention Hinton and Smith will improve their interior pass rush….we will be okay. 

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ILL_Legel

January 2nd, 2022 at 2:56 PM ^

Ojabo athleticism is hard to replicate.  Dude is a unicorn in my opinion and he has a ton of technique upside.  Pro teams will be all over him.  They aren’t worried about the Georgia game.  Pro teams will play to his strength and he will have 24 hours, 7 days a week to focus on football.  Future NFL All-Pro.

He can’t be paid NIL so go pro.  I would be surprised if he is not a first round pick. We will know soon who is going and who is staying.

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bsand2053

January 2nd, 2022 at 3:06 PM ^

I absolutely expected Hutchinson to get double digit sacks.  As for Ojabo, we all knew the ceiling was sky high.  So while I certainly didn’t expect him to put himself in the top ten in NFL mocks I am also not surprised that he did.  Guys with his size, athleticism and work ethic blow up all the time (Paye, Charlton, Mario, Ziggy Ansah etc).

 

I am extremely concerned about our pass rush next year.  I think the Rose Bowl proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that our pressure on Stroud was just as important as Haskins’ legendary game.  If Stroud can set up camp in the pocket he, Smith-Njigba and Harrison Jr are going to shred defenses.  

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Twitch

January 2nd, 2022 at 3:15 PM ^

Sounds to me like Ryan Osborne deserves a raise.  Also, I see a lot of names being thrown around, don't count out Derrick Moore.  Just saw him get a sack in the Under Armour game and that kid has some get off.  Again, true freshman, but it has happened before.  Not saying I expect it, but kid looks like a dude.

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