Report: NFL Draft Prospect David Ojabo's Injury Diagnosed as Torn Achilles

Former University of Michigan edge-rusher and potential 2022 NFL draft first-round selection David Ojabo suffered a significant injury Friday during his pro day workout.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, tests revealed that Ojabo tore his Achilles. Schefter added that Ojabo is expected to make a full recovery and could be back as soon as six months from now, which would put him on track to return early in the 2022 NFL regular season.

NFL.com's Jeffri Chadiha tweeted a photo of Ojabo down on the turf and noted that he had to be helped off the field after suffering an apparent ankle or leg injury during a pass-rushing drill:

The Bleacher Report NFL Scouting Department ranked Ojabo as the No. 26 overall player in the 2022 NFL draft and the No. 4 edge-rusher following the scouting combine.

In the B/R NFL Scouting Department's mock draft released March 8, Ojabo was projected to go to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 24 overall.

After Dallas lost Randy Gregory to the Denver Broncos in free agency, Ojabo could be an even better fit, although the severity of his injury could cause the Cowboys and other teams to shy away.

The 21-year-old Ojabo was born in Nigeria and moved from Scotland to New Jersey at age 17. It wasn't until he came to the United States that he began playing football.

Ojabo was a quick study, as he enjoyed a breakout season for the Wolverines in 2021 after redshirting in 2019 and barely playing in 2020.

In a starting role, Ojabo finished with 35 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and five forced fumbles for a Michigan team that won the Big Ten and reached the College Football Playoff.

He was the ideal complement to fellow Michigan pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson, who recorded 14 sacks and finished second in Heisman Trophy voting before entering the 2022 NFL draft.

For his efforts, Ojabo was named a second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten selection last season.

Given his raw talent and athleticism, Ojabo seemed like a safe bet to get taken in the first round of the draft, but his status is now far from guaranteed.

Even with Ojabo having to miss time, it is difficult to envision him sliding beyond the second round since a team will undoubtedly want to take a chance on his skill set.