Derrick Henry Dominates as Odafe Oweh Uplifts Nigeria and Tylan Wallace Elevates Game in Ravens’ High-Energy 2025 Preseason Push
As the Baltimore Ravens charge through training camp with eyes set on the 2025 NFL season, three players stand out not only for their performance on the field but for their impact off it. Derrick Henry, the newly acquired workhorse back, continues to defy time and expectations. Linebacker Odafe Oweh, born in the United States to Nigerian parents, is using his platform to give back to the country of his heritage. Meanwhile, wide receiver Tylan Wallace is quietly becoming one of the team’s most reliable and hardworking contributors, determined to seize every opportunity in a crowded receiver room.
Each of these men is operating in a different phase of their careers, but all are emblematic of what the Ravens hope to be this season: tough, unified, and relentlessly driven.
For Derrick Henry, the Ravens’ acquisition during the offseason was a headline-making move that sent a clear message—the team is in win-now mode. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 by NFL running back standards, Henry looks anything but worn down. In fact, he appears rejuvenated in Baltimore’s offense, which has tailored aspects of its scheme to maximize his punishing running style while still giving quarterback Lamar Jackson the freedom to improvise and create.
“I feel good—real good,” Henry said after a recent practice, his jersey soaked in sweat but his voice calm and confident. “This team, this staff, they know how to use me. It’s not just smashmouth football every down—it’s smart football. We’re mixing in different looks, but when it’s time to hit someone in the mouth, I’m ready.”
Watching Henry during team drills is like witnessing a sledgehammer being swung with grace. He still hits holes with explosive power, but what has impressed coaches most is his vision and decision-making—skills honed over years of carrying the Tennessee Titans’ offense on his back. His ability to process defensive alignments and anticipate pursuit angles remains elite.
Head coach John Harbaugh sees Henry not just as a physical asset but as a leader in the locker room.
“Derrick brings a level of professionalism and purpose that’s contagious,” Harbaugh said. “He doesn’t say much, but when he does, guys listen. And when he runs, defenders move—fast, or they get run over.”
The respect Henry commands from his teammates is evident. During a recent scrimmage, rookie linebacker Jeremiah Moon attempted to square up on Henry during an inside run. Henry lowered his shoulder and delivered a textbook stiff-arm that sent the crowd into a frenzy. After the play, Henry helped Moon to his feet and gave him a tap on the helmet.
“That’s the kind of competitor he is,” Moon said later. “He’ll knock you down, but he respects the grind. And that motivates you to get back up and go harder.”
While Henry dominates the field, Odafe Oweh is working to dominate both his responsibilities on defense and his mission beyond football. The explosive pass rusher, now entering his fourth season, is more than just a freak athlete with a rare blend of speed and power—he’s also a passionate advocate for social change and a dedicated philanthropist focused on making an impact in Nigeria.
Oweh recently launched a nonprofit initiative focused on providing educational tools, clean water access, and youth sports equipment in underserved Nigerian communities. The foundation, named “Project Uplift Naija,” has already sent its first shipment of supplies to Lagos and is planning a series of pop-up football camps across the country next offseason.
“My parents are Nigerian. That’s my blood. That’s my history,” Oweh said. “It’s always been important to me to do something meaningful for the people there. Football gave me this platform, and I’m going to use it to build, not just play.”
On the field, Oweh is enjoying his best offseason yet. He’s leaner, stronger, and more technically refined. Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has praised Oweh’s progression, particularly his improved hand usage and ability to set the edge in run defense—two areas that had previously been inconsistent.
“You’re seeing Odafe play with confidence and clarity,” Orr said. “He’s not guessing anymore. He knows what the offense wants to do, and he’s reacting faster. When he’s on, he’s a nightmare for quarterbacks.”
Teammates have taken note, too. Veteran defensive lineman Justin Madubuike, himself of Nigerian descent, has formed a close bond with Oweh.
“We push each other, on and off the field,” Madubuike said. “And what he’s doing for Nigeria, man, that’s legacy stuff. That’s bigger than football.”
Oweh’s story adds a layer of meaning to the Ravens’ campaign this year. As he fights to become one of the league’s premier edge rushers, he’s also fighting for opportunity, access, and hope in places that are often overlooked. For Baltimore fans, it’s yet another reason to root for No. 99—not just for the sacks, but for the soul.
And then there’s Tylan Wallace.
Overshadowed in past seasons by flashier names and higher draft picks, Wallace has steadily carved out a reputation as one of the most diligent and focused players in the building. A fourth-round pick in 2021 out of Oklahoma State, Wallace has battled injuries, depth chart shuffles, and role uncertainty. But through it all, he’s never wavered.
Now, entering the most pivotal year of his career, Wallace is making noise—and not just on special teams, where he’s already proven to be a reliable contributor. In camp, he’s been one of the most consistent pass-catchers during drills, earning praise from Lamar Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken for his route precision and toughness in traffic.
“Tylan’s been balling,” Jackson said. “He don’t talk much, but he’s in the right spot, he catches everything, and he plays with heart. You love a guy like that.”
Wallace’s route-running has noticeably improved, especially on intermediate curls and sideline outs—routes that require timing and precision. He’s also added muscle, giving him more strength to fight through press coverage and block on the perimeter.
Monken sees Wallace as a Swiss Army knife within the offense.
“He’s not the biggest or the fastest, but he does everything well,” Monken said. “He’s assignment-sound, he competes, and he never takes a rep off. That’s the kind of guy who finds his way onto the field when it matters most.”
Wallace is also drawing from past setbacks to fuel his current focus.
“I’ve been through a lot—injuries, getting overlooked, everything,” Wallace said. “But I’m still here. I’ve worked too hard to let this moment slip away. I’m playing with a chip on my shoulder every single day.”
That chip may be exactly what the Ravens need. With a receiver room that includes Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and the emerging rookie LaJohntay Wester, competition is fierce. But Wallace’s steadiness and work ethic could make him a crucial part of the puzzle—especially in tight games where execution matters more than highlight reels.
Together, these three Ravens represent the heart of a team built on physicality, community, and perseverance. Derrick Henry is the thunderous centerpiece of a revitalized offense, bringing power and wisdom. Odafe Oweh is the rising defensive star using his platform to change lives. And Tylan Wallace is the quiet warrior, grinding day by day, proving that hard work still matters in a league driven by flash and narrative.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory. The AFC is stacked, the playoff road is brutal, and the margin for error is razor thin. But if Baltimore is going to break through—if they’re going to hoist the Lombardi Trophy—it will be because of men like Henry, Oweh, and Wallace. Not just because of their talents, but because of their character, their drive, and their unwavering belief in something bigger than themselves.
As training camp progresses and preseason games begin, fans will continue to focus on stats, depth charts, and injury reports. But behind every rep, every sprint, and every film session, there are stories like these—of a running back chasing greatness, a linebacker building bridges, and a receiver refusing to quit. These are the kinds of stories that make the Ravens more than a team. They make them a movement.
