Scottish NFL star David Ojabo is getting closer to making his NFL debut, and he has impressed head coach John Harbaugh with the Baltimore Ravens.
Ojabo was drafted by the Ravens in the second-round, after the former Michigan pass-rusher impressed in his final year in college, being coached by Harbaugh's brother, Jim, where he registered 11 sacks in just 13 games.
The Scot had been projected as a high first-round draft pick, but suffered a serious injury during a practice session put on to impress NFL scouts. Ojabo he tore his Achilles tendon which ruled him out for almost a year and saw him fall to the second round - costing him millions of dollars.
But now, the 22-year-old is back in practice and is ready to make his NFL debut.
The Ravens have struggled rushing the passer in comparison to their usual productivity at the position, and may look to Ojabo to provide a spark once he's ready.
Speaking to the media on Thursday, Coach Harbaugh said: "[I’m] very impressed. A game, we’ll see. We’re going to take it one step at a time; it won’t be this week. [David Ojabo] said October. I remember he told me October, and I might have mentioned that to you guys early on, and here he is practicing in October.
"So, very impressed. We’ll see – today was just the first step – we’ll see how he responds."
Ojabo was born in Nigeria, but grew up in Aberdeen from the age of six until he was 17. He remain proud of his Scottish routes, where his family still live.
Speaking before the NFL draft, he said: "I lived in Scotland from the age of seven until I was 15. They are calm people and I miss that aspect of the country. For one there are no guns in Scotland, it is safe. I know my family is safe there.
"I’ve seen my sister walk into town with her headphones in and come back untouched. I wouldn’t let her do that anywhere here [in the USA].
"I played a bit of recreational rugby in Scotland, nothing serious, just messing about with my friends."
