After showing flashes of his game-wrecking potential during his first three seasons in the league, Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike has put it all together and is having an outstanding breakout season in the final year of his rookie contract. He has recorded at least half a sack in a franchise record nine straight games and currently leads both the team and all interior defensive linemen with a career-high 10 in 12 games.
When asked what has been the key to the 2020 third-round pick’s ascension to stardom and explosion in production, Ravens Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach Anthony Weaver highlighted a trio of major factors: tenacity, consistency, and opportunity.
“I think the biggest thing with Justin is he’s tenacious,” Weaver said. “He attacks every day exactly the same. You have some guys that, they have their good days, and they have their bad days. I don’t know that he’s ever had a bad day. He just shows up to work with the same mentality every single day, and that’s why you’ve seen the production you have [with him].
Some players hit the ground running, some are late bloomers, and others just need a chance to shine from behind the shadow of a more established player. Madubuike spent his first three seasons learning from six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell. After the team released the future Hall of Famer as a salary cap casualty this offseason, the pathway to increased playing time was paved.
“I just think he’s continuing to mature as a football player,” Weaver said. “His football intelligence goes up, he starts to recognize some of the things that are happening around him, and he’s also probably getting more opportunities without a Calais here and things like that.”
Weaver believes Madubuike’s biggest areas of growth are a combination of both recognition and refined technique.
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