The Baltimore Ravens selected former Penn State football guard Olaivavega Ioane No. 14 overall in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Viral Vega Ioane Penn State video actually helped him get drafted by the Ravens at No. 14
After getting the call, Ioane hopped on a video call with reporters. During his media, he assured Ravens fans that he's the exact player they want protecting quarterback Lamar Jackson and the rest of the offensive backfield.
"For me, it's hard to not see things for how they are. I've seen a lot of mock drafts and things like that of me coming [to Baltimore]. I definitely picture myself blocking for all those people over there. Great players," Ioane said.
"When I get there, I'm bringing my pass protection. That's something I work on every day, same thing for the run game. The pass game, I'm coming in with the mentality that I’m not going to get beat. Nobody is going to touch my quarterback. Simple as that. In the run game, same mindset . . . I'm trying to open up lanes for our running back, protect the running back in that case, and just play ball."
“I’m coming in with the mentality that I’m not going to get beat. Nobody is going to touch my quarterback. Simple as that.” pic.twitter.com/CImP9MqeTs
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) April 24, 2026
Olaivavega Ioane visualized himself as a Raven and promises to protect the pass and run game in Baltimore
Since early mock drafted, Ioane was slated to be the next Baltimore Raven. That all came to fruition on Thursday night.
The First-Team All-American and All-Big Ten selection in 2025 for the Nittany Lions started in 11 games his last season. He finished with an 80.0 overall PFF grade and 97.0 pass-blocking grade. He let zero sacks slip by him as well.
Ioane is known for his pass protection and high football IQ, playing over 2,300 snaps over his collegiate career at Penn State.
This is something Baltimore needs after its offensive line took a step back. The Ravens finished 28th in the league in 2025 in pass-blocking efficiency with an 82.8 PFF rating, allowing 155 pressures and 17 sacks. They also finished 27th in run-blocking with a 52.1 PFF rating.
Baltimore's best man in the trenches was center Tyler Linderbaum. It's never a one-man show on the offensive line. On top of that, the Ravens also lost Linderbaum in the offseason. The center signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in March, leaving the team that drafted him behind.
Based on Ioane's response in media following the 14th overall pick, Baltimore fans can exhale knowing they have a young guard ready to step up to the challenge in the NFL immediately.
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