January 4th, 2022 at 11:38 AM ^
Wish he were staying, but with the chance to go in the first round, this feels like the right move for him and his family. Best of luck to O-JA-BO! #GOBLUEFOREVER
January 4th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
Likewise. Him and Hutch were the backbone of the D and will be missed but they have to go. Absolutely wish the kid nothing but the best and something tells me he's going to be a GREAT Pro
January 5th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
https://www.bbc.com/sport/american-football/59873760
Wanted to add a link to a BBC article on Ojabo that I just came across. Interesting to get their perspective from across the pond. It may be the only time I see Michigan selected partly because of the weather (reminded him of Scotland).
Good luck to the young man.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
I say let’s crank up an NFL talent factory like Miami in the 90s and Alabama ever since, and start sending 10 guys to the League every year and not being concerned because the guy replacing ends up a high draft pick.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:33 PM ^
We do pretty well already, but yeah, let's crank it up!
Best of luck O JA BO!
January 4th, 2022 at 3:18 PM ^
it's "pump it up"
(don't you know?)
January 4th, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
Great story, and great season he had! You can't help but be happy for the man and his family.
GO BLUE!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:39 AM ^
This is the only right decision for the young man. He deserves every million he gets. God I love this team.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:40 AM ^
I would have loved to see him come back but I know that making money for his family was important to him and he cannot receive NIL money.
January 4th, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
Stupid NIL rules!
January 4th, 2022 at 2:57 PM ^
I wonder when he can get a work visa to start making money... Once he's drafted to a team? Does the agency that signs him employ him and get that taken care of so he can start making money now?
January 4th, 2022 at 11:42 AM ^
Good for him, and good luck!
This is disappointing in the "maybe there's 1 chance in 100 that he decides he wants to stay for another year even though he can make millions in the NFL as a likely first-rounder" sense, but only in that sense. Ojabo blew up this year, will get drafted, and absolutely should go do that right now, for a number of good reasons. And we can't even lament "what might have been," because he was literally a crucial player on the best team at Michigan in a generation.
I sometimes get tired of the "feelz" puff pieces about sports teams and players, but the reporting on his parents getting to see him in person for the first time at the Ohio State game? That was just awesome, I was so happy to hear that.
Now they get to go see him in the NFL.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:42 AM ^
We'll always have
O
JA
BO!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:44 AM ^
Good for him! Young man literally made himself a millionaire with his play this season. Hope he has a great career in the NFL and beyond.
January 4th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
Crazy how a stat keeper could really have a financial impact on a player. A couple of sacks ruled TFLs because the QB was scrambling, rounding up to a "no-gain", or 1/2 sacks awarded between players could mean millions.
NFL scouts should be grading on potential, but they can't grade and watch every snap on every player. At some point they have to look at a player's athletic potential, and see how often he converts that to production (stats).
January 4th, 2022 at 6:06 PM ^
I would bet a large some of money that NFL scouts absolutely watch every snap of players. Ojabo is going to be a first rounder because he shows elite pass rushing skills. So I'm not sure what your point is.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
Good luck young man get paid
January 4th, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
No surprise, especially since he couldn't take any NIL money.
Best of luck to him, he had a great season.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:59 AM ^
Considering what he's had to go to get here, he's turned into one of my all-time favorite Wolverines. Go make some money young man
January 4th, 2022 at 11:45 AM ^
As he should. Strike while the iron is hot.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:46 AM ^
Good Luck, David. Thanks for being a Wolverine!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:48 AM ^
Good luck David!!!!!
Wishing you all the best in the NFL next year ???.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:48 AM ^
Best of luck in the league, young man. Thanks for all you did for the Maize and Blue!!
Now go get that first round money!!
January 4th, 2022 at 11:50 AM ^
Glad for him. Sad for us.
Also glad for us that Michigan helped another student develop, and that he contributed so much to Michigan.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:52 AM ^
Thank you for the thrills you have provided us and all you've done for the Michigan Football team, David, and best wishes as you open the next chapter of your life in the NFL.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:53 AM ^
Of course, congrats, and go earn young man, I'd tell my son the same and I'd do the same!
I'm bizarrely proud of this board's collective take on players getting paid. We are all capitalists making as much as we can, how disingenuous would we be for begrudging kids who care more about Michigan than we do from doing the same?
When I listen to ESPNU I hear so many ridiculous takes, it's refreshing to see actual logic and balance from our board.
Go blue young man, glad I attended the same University you did!
January 4th, 2022 at 1:19 PM ^
I'm also relieved there hasn't been a "Too bad he won't stay to get his degree; I guess he doesn't value his education" post. That is such a tired, antiquated take.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:56 AM ^
Good luck Sir. Great season. Watching the plays the guy made he has a special ability to locate the ball when he’s closing in and causing fumbles. NFL coaches will love that.
January 4th, 2022 at 11:57 AM ^
I'm shocked. Over 10 posts in this thread and not one obligitory "he really should stay in school and work on his game so he can improve his draft stock" comments.
I thought those were manditory anytime a Michigan player declared for the pro's no matter their situation in every sport. When did the rules get changed?
Seriously though - good luck David. You did Michigan, your family and yourself very proud!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
When you beat Ohio state and win the big ten. Beating Ohio state and winning the big ten is the goal post. Winning cures all.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:17 PM ^
I remember before the season started you had a premonition this year was going to be different. Was that a hunch or did you have good reasons? I'm curious, since you were right.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:22 PM ^
Kinda both. I had heard from people around the program that Harbaugh was acting like the old wacky Harbaugh, not zombie Harbaugh, prior to spring ball. And that the new assistants seemed to be making an impact. That was very good and welcoming news to me.
I also refused to believe that he had forgotten how to coach. So I thought going in that 2020 was the outlier, not the rule, and predicted 10-3 for the team. To be honest though I almost completely wiffed on the losses - I had us losing to Wisconsin, PSU & OSU and winning our bowl game.
Thanks for remembering!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:37 PM ^
I'm curious as to how the hell you remember what somebody had posted like 5 months ago.
January 4th, 2022 at 1:36 PM ^
I can remember that, but my kid lost his O-JA-BO jersey, and I swear I remember seeing it, but I can't recall. We turned the whole house over on Friday. Only thought is it is at school (he wore it for favorite team day).
January 4th, 2022 at 12:48 PM ^
Maybe because most of us realize that without Hutchinson to play with next year, the odds of his draft stock going higher is very low. Unless someone else blossoms next year, he would be facing tons of double-teams.
January 4th, 2022 at 6:51 PM ^
It is pretty difficult to improve his draft stock, period.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:05 PM ^
Darn. Was selfishly hoping he'd stay, but whenever you get a first round grade, you need to go. Get out of college and go get paid.
Thanks for the memories and everything you accomplished this year. You really helped put Michigan back on the map.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:12 PM ^
Correct move for him. Hope he develops into a force in the NFL.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:25 PM ^
Wish him the best of luck.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:31 PM ^
The right choice and was expected. Best of luck!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
Go get paid, young man! You've earned it!
Selfishly, I hoped he was coming back.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:33 PM ^
Shit.
I mean, I knew it was coming, I think it's a smart decision, he's doing what's financially best, he made himself into a great player and someone that we can can be proud of, it's been a pleasure watching him play, and I wish him every success in both the NFL and in life. Go get 'em, young man.
But shit anyway.
January 4th, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
Dang it… I was selfishly hoping he’d return to be our dominant pass rusher. But you can’t blame him at all. Best of luck going forward David!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:34 PM ^
Dang it… I was hoping he’d return to be our dominant pass rusher. But you can’t blame him at all. Best of luck going forward David!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
Where's his sense of loyalty? Not just to the school, not just to the teammates, but to us fans?
Okay, got that out of my system. Best of luck to him in the pros. I'm sure he will go a first-round, sign a good contract, and being an excellent pro. Wish you nothing but the best, thank you for the enjoyment of watching you play this past year. Go Blue!
January 4th, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
How many need to declare or transfer out with the current amount coming in?
January 4th, 2022 at 12:52 PM ^
Good luck and congratulations David. Thanks for being a great player and great person.
January 4th, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
Nooooooo Ja Bo :(
Just kidding....Thanks for the amazing memories this season young man and congrats on the opportunity to play at the next level and earn life changing money.
Wish he could have earned NIL here, but even if that were the case, he is ready for the NFL and should move to the next level.
Go Ja Bo!
Go Blue