Divine Ahmad Deablo Bio
Divine Ahmad Deablo is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was born on August 17, 1998, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Deablo played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies from 2016 to 2020 and was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 80th overall pick. Throughout his collegiate and professional career, he has established himself as a reliable and physical presence at the linebacker position. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2025 following four seasons with the Raiders.
Early Life and Background
Divine Deablo grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he attended Mount Tabor High School. During his high school career, Deablo showcased his athletic abilities as a wide receiver, earning All-Central Piedmont Conference honors in each of his final three seasons. He also received All-Northwest North Carolina recognition during his senior year after averaging an impressive 21 yards per reception while recording 10 touchdown receptions. His standout high school performance attracted attention from multiple major college programs.
For his collegiate career, Deablo chose to continue his football journey at Virginia Tech, joining the Hokies program over other offers from schools including North Carolina and N.C. State. This decision marked the beginning of his transition from a offensive skill player to a defensive standout that would define his professional career.
Path to the NFL
When Deablo arrived at Virginia Tech as a true freshman in 2016, he initially played on special teams while catching one pass for eight yards during his debut season. Recognizing his physical tools and football instincts, the coaching staff made a pivotal decision following his freshman year to transition him from wide receiver to the safety position. This positional change would prove instrumental in shaping his future as a defensive player.
Deablo began his sophomore season with significant playing time in the Hokies’ defensive backfield rotation. However, his season was interrupted when he suffered a foot injury in the fourth game, necessitating a medical redshirt that allowed him to preserve a year of eligibility. The adversity of the injury demonstrated his resilience and commitment to returning stronger to the Virginia Tech defense.
Divine Ahmad Deablo Career
Virginia Tech Years (2016–2020)
During his redshirt junior season with the Hokies, Deablo emerged as one of the defense’s top performers, finishing as Virginia Tech’s second-leading tackler with 84 total tackles. His standout performance earned him Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Back of the Week honors in week 10 of that season after he recovered a fumble and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown during a game against Notre Dame. This explosive play showcased his playmaking ability and speed.
As a redshirt senior in 2020, Deablo delivered his most complete collegiate season, recording 55 tackles alongside four interceptions and four passes broken up. His consistent high-level performance throughout the season earned him first-team All-ACC honors, cementing his status as one of the conference’s top defensive backs and elevating his NFL draft prospects significantly.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2021–2024)
Deablo’s NFL journey began when the Las Vegas Raiders selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 80th overall pick. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the Raiders on July 23, 2021. In his rookie season, Deablo appeared in all 17 games with five starts, recording 45 tackles while adapting to the speed and complexity of professional football.
The 2022 season marked a breakthrough for Deablo as he entered training camp as a starting linebacker for the Raiders. He quickly established himself as a leader on defense, leading the team in tackles through the first eight games of the season. His promising season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2022, ending his campaign prematurely.
Deablo bounced back in 2023 with a memorable moment in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills when he recorded his first career NFL sack, bringing down quarterback Josh Allen in a 10–38 loss. The following season, Deablo added another milestone to his career when he recorded his first career reception for 34 yards in Week 12 of the 2024 season against the Denver Broncos. The play came off a fake punt thrown by AJ Cole during the 19–29 loss, demonstrating his versatility on special teams.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Deablo signed a two-year contract worth $14 million with the Atlanta Falcons, marking a new chapter in his professional career. The move represented an opportunity for Deablo to continue his development with a franchise looking to strengthen its defensive unit. He joined the Falcons wearing jersey number 0.
During the 2025 season, Deablo’s momentum was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on October 25 after suffering a broken forearm in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. The injury required surgery and a period of recovery before he could return to the field. Deablo was activated from injured reserve on November 19, 2025, ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, allowing him to rejoin the Falcons’ defense for the remainder of the season.
Playing Style and Strengths
Deablo has developed a reputation as a physical and aggressive linebacker who brings intensity to the middle of the defense. His background as a defensive back gives him solid coverage skills and range in pass defense. He has shown the ability to make plays in the backfield, evidenced by his career sack against Josh Allen, while also demonstrating reliability in tackling and run support. His experience transitioning from safety to linebacker has provided him with versatility to read plays and react quickly to opposing offenses.
Notable Events and Milestones
Several defining moments have highlighted Deablo’s career trajectory. His 98-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown against Notre Dame during his collegiate career remains one of the most explosive plays of his career. In the NFL, his first career sack against Josh Allen represented his arrival as an impact defender at the professional level. The transition from the Raiders to the Falcons and his $14 million contract marked a significant milestone recognizing his contributions to the league.
Divine Ahmad Deablo Career Statistics
Deablo has accumulated solid defensive numbers through his first four-plus seasons in the NFL. His career statistics as of the 2025 season demonstrate his consistent production and durability as a professional defender. He has appeared in numerous games while making significant contributions in various facets of the game.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Through his career with the Las Vegas Raiders and Atlanta Falcons, Deablo has established himself as a reliable tackler with 361 career total tackles to date. He has recorded 3 career sacks and 3 fumble recoveries while also contributing 13 pass deflections, showing his ability to disrupt passing lanes and create turnovers for his defense.
| Season | Team | Total Tackles | Sacks | Fumble Recoveries | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Las Vegas Raiders | 45 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Las Vegas Raiders | 68 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 | Las Vegas Raiders | 110 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2024 | Las Vegas Raiders | 104 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2025 | Atlanta Falcons | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked Deablo’s first with the Atlanta Falcons following his signing in March. He brought leadership and experience to a Falcons defense looking to improve upon previous seasons. Deablo opened the season as a key contributor at linebacker, using his versatility to make plays both against the run and in coverage.
Deablo’s season hit a significant obstacle in Week 7 when he suffered a broken forearm against the San Francisco 49ers, resulting in his placement on injured reserve. The injury required several weeks of recovery and rehabilitation before he could return to football activities. The resilience he showed throughout his recovery process reflected the mental toughness he developed throughout his football career.
Upon his activation from injured reserve in Week 12, Deablo rejoined the Falcons’ defense for the stretch run of the season. His return provided a boost to the unit as they competed for playoff positioning in the NFC. The 2025 campaign demonstrated both the challenges of adapting to a new team and the perseverance required to overcome adversity during a critical season.