Rookie offensive lineman Vega Ioane has made a strong first impression on Dwayne Ledford.
During an appearance on The Lounge Podcast with Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing, Ledford discussed working with Ioane during the predraft process and explained why the rookie immediately stood out to him. Ledford even revealed he nicknamed Ioane “Big Dog” after their interaction during his pro day workout.
More importantly, Ledford said Ioane already approaches the game with the mentality of a professional veteran.
“He’s a pro. He was a pro without being a pro yet… very serious player. He loves football and he wants to do right. He’s a very smart player that knows the why… wants to understand all aspects of it. He’s been great.”
That kind of praise is significant, coming from a veteran offensive line coach with experience at both the college and NFL levels. The Ravens have consistently valued offensive linemen who combine toughness with intelligence and versatility, and Ledford’s comments suggest Ioane fits naturally within that mold. Baltimore also appears impressed with how seriously the rookie approaches preparation and learning the system.
While there will still be competition for playing time throughout training camp, Ioane already seems to be earning trust within the offensive line room because of the professionalism and work ethic he’s shown early on.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Ravens rookie Vega Ioane already acts like a veteran
