The Broncos started their busy third round Friday night by using the 77th overall pick on Iowa cornerback Michael Ojemudia.
Ojemudia joins receivers Jerry Jeudy (first round) and KJ Hamler (second round) as the Broncos’ first three picks.
“When I saw the area code (for Colorado) pop up on my I phone, my heart dropped because I feel itap the perfect place for me,” Ojemudia said. “All of the stars aligned with this pick.”
Cornerback was a need for the Broncos after losing in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers. They acquired veteran A.J. Bouye from Jacksonville last month and also have Bryce Callahan, who missed all of 2019 with a foot injury.
Listed at a shade under 6-foot-1 (200 pounds), Ojemudia ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at the combine.
“I plan to be a hard-nosed, physical guy who makes plays – – a guy who is going to set the tone every time I’m out there,” Ojemudia said. “I’m definitely going to bring some grittiness to the DB room.”
Ojemudia, 22, spent five years at Iowa, appearing in 51 games (22 starts) and making 125 tackles and six interceptions.
A college teammate of Broncos tight end Noah Fant and inside linebacker Josey Jewell, Ojemudia was a full-time starter only in 2019 and was third-team All-Big Ten (team-high 12 pass break-ups and three interceptions).
Ojemudia had to wait his turn before becoming a starter.
“I worked my butt off the whole time, trying to gain wisdom from the other guys,” he said. “I never didn’t take advantage of my time.”
Michael Ojemudia
Round/pick: Third/77th overall
Age: 22
Position: Cornerback
Height/weight: 6-foot-1/200
College: Iowa
Hometown: Farmington Hills, Mich.
Notable: Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds at combine. … Started only 10 games in first three seasons at Iowa, but had 12 pass break-ups and three interceptions as fifth-year senior in 2019 (12 starts). … College teammate of Broncos tight end Noah Fant and inside linebacker Josey Jewell.
