Daily News | Eagles’ need for edge rushers could be filled by ‘upside’ prospects David Ojabo and George Karlaftis
INDIANAPOLIS — Before he had even stepped onto a football field, David Ojabo was receiving interest from Division I colleges.
“My buddies were playing it. … I could see that I was physically dominant over my friends at West Lafayette [Indiana} High School,” Karlaftis said. “So I was like ‘I’m going to try it out. It can’t be too hard. I’m faster, I’m bigger, and I’m stronger than everyone.’ So that was the initial thing.
Ojabo and Karlaftis, at least based upon 20-minute interviews conducted on Friday at the NFL combine, didn’t seem to be lacking in their love of football. The Eagles surely quizzed the pair during meetings this week. While Roseman declined to assess the edge-rusher class, many NFL evaluators consider it the deepest group in this year’s draft. Minnesota’s Boye Mafe, Penn State’s Arnold Ebiketie, and Oklahoma’s Nik Bonitto could fall anywhere from the late first to second round.
While Ojabo benefited from rushing opposite Hutchinson, Karlaftis saw his share of double-team blocking and notched only 4½ sacks in 12 games. But scouts see more than just his ho-hum numbers. He played soccer and basketball in Scotland, but chose the latter at Blair until he realized that he was at a significant disadvantage in the post.He said he switched to football when he saw classmate Odafe Oweh receive multiple scholarship offers after just one year of playing the sport. Oweh, a class ahead, went to Penn State and was drafted in the first round by the Ravens a year ago.
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