The team announced the agreement with the 23rd overall pick of the draft, a projected starter at right tackle, shortly after 9 p.m. Oher is the final rookie out of the Ravens’ draft class to agree to terms.
The consensus All-American blocker from Ole Miss was expected to receive a hefty increase over last year’s pick at his slot, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, who signed a five-year, $12.55 million contract that included $7.125 million in guaranteed money. Terms weren’t immediately available as the deal hasn’t been officially filed yet with the NFL Players Association.
"I know Michael’s going to be the happiest person of anybody," said Sean Tuohy, Oher’s adopted father, in a telephone interview. "We had to keep tackling him from going to the airport every day. We won’t have to tackle him this time. I bet he’ll be there early. Michael can’t wait to get on an airplane."
Oher, who missed the first two days of practice, is expected to fly into Baltimore to attend today’s administrative day. He’s set to conduct a press conference this afternoon along with general manager Ozzie Newsome.
Oher has been training hard in the heat of his hometown of Memphis, Tenn., according to Tuohy.
"It’s perfect, absolutely perfect, Michael looks great," Tuohy said. "I tell him it’s like studying for a math test and you can’t wait to take the test.
"He wants to go use what he’s been working on for so long. He knows the responsibility. He knows the team is counting on him."
The deal was negotiated between Oher’s agent, Jimmy Sexton, and Ravens vice president of football operations Pat Moriarty.
Earlier this week, Sexton said that he didn’t anticipate a lengthy holdout.
"We knew Michael wanted to be here," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said in a statement. "[General manager] Ozzie [Newsome] wanted him to be here, and his agent wanted him to be here, too. The agent wanted to make sure he did the right thing by Michael, and we wanted that."
