Divine Deablo

Divine Deablo's Biography

Divine Ahmad Deablo, born on August 17, 1998, is a remarkable American professional footballer, currently playing for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL) as a linebacker. With his notable academic background from Virginia Tech, he ascended to professional football during the 2021 NFL draft when the Raiders picked him in the third round.

The footballer traces his roots back to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He attended Mount Tabor High School, where he laid down his initial football foundations. Over his final three school years, he consistently proved himself an invaluable part of the team, earning the All-Central Piedmont Conference title as a wide receiver. In his senior season, he upped his game by averaging 21 yards per reception with 10 touchdown receptions, landing him with a flattering All-Northwest North Carolina title.

Upon finishing high school, several colleges noticed his exceptional talent, but Deablo chose Virginia Tech over offers from North Carolina and N.C. State. The professional linebacker was part of the Virginia Tech Hokies for five seasons, cementing his reputation as a formidable force on the field. In his first year with the Hokies, he played in all games mostly on special teams, recording a single reception that amounted to eight yards.

After his freshman year, Deablo took a tactical shift, moving from wide receiver to safety, a move that would see him taking on more significant roles in the coming seasons. His sophomore year started on a high note, featuring prominently in the Hokies defensive backfield rotation. Unfortunately, a foot injury during the fourth game led him to use a medical redshirt.

Making a solid comeback, Deablo capped his redshirt junior season as the Hokies’ second-leading tackler with a whopping 84 tackles. His prowess saw him crowned the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Back of the Week in week 10 after he recovered an impressive 98-yard fumble for a touchdown against Notre Dame. In his final year with the Hokies, his fantastic performance earned him the first-team All-ACC title. He recorded 55 tackles with four interceptions and four broken-up passes.

Deablo transitioned to professional football in 2021 when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the third round of the NFL draft. On July 23, 2021, he signed his four-year contract with his new team. Following his entry into the professional leagues, Deablo had an impeccable rookie year. He played in all the 17 games, making five starts and recording 45 tackles.

As the 2022 season kicked off, Deablo continued to shine with the Raiders. He began the season as a starting linebacker, leading his team in tackles over the first eight games. However, his winning streak was interrupted by an injury, leading to his placement on an injured reserve on November 7, 2022. Nevertheless, his exceptional contribution to the team and the entire NFL continues to seal his reputation as a force to reckon with on the football field.