The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Moro Ojomo drafted by Philadelphia Eagles
04.29.2023 | Football
Texas DL Moro Ojomo was selected in the seventh round with the 249th overall pick.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Texas defensive lineman Moro Ojomo was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 249th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday.
Ojomo's selection makes him the 24th Texas defensive lineman taken in the NFL Draft since 2000. Coupled with Keondre Coburn's selection in the sixth round, Texas had two defensive linemen selected in the same draft for the second time in three years.
He is the 23rd Longhorn drafted all-time by the Eagles, and the first since linebacker Jordan Hicks was picked in the third round of the 2015 draft.
Texas had five players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft, matching the most in a draft since 2010 (six).
"Moro played a lot of great football for us, but he's still a relatively young player who has a lot of upside. He's a three-down defensive lineman that can play multiple positions. He's very versatile, has a great motor and really loves to compete. The future is really bright for Moro and the Philadelphia Eagles are lucky to have him. We'll be watching and pulling for him at the next level."
Ojomo, a five-year defensive lineman from Katy, Texas, played in 50 career games with 30 starts for the Longhorns. He totaled 95 tackles (50 solo), 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks during his career. He added two passes defended, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
In 2022, he earned second-team All-Big 12 selection from the Associated Press after establishing career bests with 33 tackles (16 solo), 5.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and one forced fumble while adding two quarterback hurries.
Ojomo was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team honoree and an eight-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
On being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles:
"I was just excited to have an opportunity to go to such a great team with so many great players that I can learn tons from, and they've had a winning culture so to join that. It was just thankfulness that they took a shot at me."
On how his friends and family reacted:
"Everyone was just excited and happy. It's a dream come true, and it's surreal. At the end of the day only so many people get picked and only so many are considered for the NFL, so we were all just being happy and thankful."
On joining such a good team and making the roster:
"One, you can't be afraid, and two, you have to take the first step forward. People that know me know I love to compete, and that's why I play the game of football. I've been competing my whole life. My junior year of high school, I was third string. At UT, I had to compete for starting positions different years, and there was a new staff that came in my third year, and I had never really played DT (defensive tackle), and I had to compete for that starting job. I'm not afraid of anyone, and I give everyone the respect they deserve, but I'm going to come 110 percent."
On how much his versatility helps him from playing multiple positions at Texas:
"I think the versatility is going to help me a ton in terms of – the more you can do the more valuable you are for a team. We haven't talked about that too much, but I'm excited. They've got a great defensive line and a great organization. They went to the Super Bowl last year, so it doesn't necessarily get better than that."
On his journey and what this moment means to him:
"It's all God, in the sense of, there were so many things that wouldn't have led me here if God didn't want me to be here, so it's just being grateful. Two different coaches, three different defenses, two different position coaches, super young coming into college, there were so many different things that could have transpired. I'm just happy to get an opportunity and excited to compete. I wish I could be in Philly right now playing football already. It's been too long. I'd like to be working out with the guys. I'm ready for a challenge. I love challenges."
On his message to the Texas fan base:
"First, thank you for being so supportive and the best fans in the world. Number two, I'm going to represent the Burnt Orange and White to the best of my ability and make us all proud. I'm going to go this level I'm on now and kick butt and take names."
Howie Roseman, Philadelphia Eagles, Executive Vice President and General Manager
On drafting Moro Ojomo in the seventh round:
It's how we stack our board … you're trying to balance the traits that they have in their body, what you see tape and their character. We go to the board and whatever stands out to us is what we'll pick. We talked about him and (he's) a guy that has the triats. He has 34-inch arms, he went to Texas as a 16-year-old, tremendous testing, he has position versatility – he was standing out on our draft board.
SOCIAL MEDIA
All smiles on Draft day 😁@MoroOjomo x @Eagles pic.twitter.com/lAV4OBL3cv
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 29, 2023
Taking #EaglesEverywhere to Ghana for @MoroOjomo's pick!@NFLAfrica | #NFLDraft | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/eTVLTlingZ
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 29, 2023
Texas Fight 🤝 Fly Eagles Fly@MoroOjomo x @Eagles pic.twitter.com/WDpW6AzG4T
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 29, 2023
Adding to the D-line@MoroOjomo is coming to Philly!#NFLDraft | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/v5Zx1mwJmp
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 29, 2023
Moro is headed to Philly! @MoroOjomo x @Eagles pic.twitter.com/6uBtbTPeZN
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) April 29, 2023
