Divine Deablo Bio
Divine Ahmad Deablo is an American professional football linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, he played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies and was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Standing 6 ft 3 in tall and competing at 223 lb, Deablo has built his reputation as a reliable defender and a versatile athlete capable of contributing in coverage, run support, and on special teams.
Throughout his career, Deablo has been recognized for his steady development, including being named first-team All-ACC in 2020 during his final season at Virginia Tech. He signed with the Atlanta Falcons in March 2025 and continues to be viewed as an ascending linebacker in the league.
Early Life and Background
Divine Ahmad Deablo was born on August 17, 1998, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he grew up surrounded by a strong local sports culture. He attended Mount Tabor High School in Winston-Salem and emerged as a multi-sport athlete. As a senior, he averaged 21 yards per reception with 10 touchdown receptions and was recognized as a stand-out wide receiver in the region.
Deablo was named All-Central Piedmont Conference at wide receiver in each of his final three high school seasons and earned All-Northwest North Carolina honors as a senior. His production drew attention from several college programs, and he ultimately committed to Virginia Tech over offers from North Carolina and NC State.
Path to American Football
Deablo arrived at Virginia Tech as a wide receiver and was a member of the Hokies for five seasons. As a true freshman, he appeared in all of the team’s games, contributing mostly on special teams and catching one pass for eight yards. Following his freshman year, the Virginia Tech coaching staff moved him to the safety position, a transition that helped define his long-term role on defense.
As a sophomore, Deablo saw significant playing time in the Hokies’ defensive backfield rotation before a foot injury in the fourth game of the season forced him to use a medical redshirt. He bounced back to finish his redshirt junior season as Virginia Tech’s second-leading tackler with 84 stops and earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors in week 10 after recovering a fumble and returning it 98 yards for a touchdown against Notre Dame.
Divine Deablo Career
Early Career (2016–2020)
Deablo’s developmental years at Virginia Tech were marked by steady growth. After moving from wide receiver to safety, he became a fixture in the Hokies’ defensive rotation, finishing among the team’s leading tacklers. His playmaking ability was on full display when he took a fumble 98 yards for a touchdown against Notre Dame, signaling the kind of field-flipping impact he could provide.
As a redshirt senior, Deablo recorded 55 tackles, four interceptions, and four passes broken up, earning first-team All-ACC recognition. That performance cemented his status as an NFL prospect and set the stage for his entry into professional football.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2021–2024)
Deablo was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract with the team on July 23, 2021, and immediately earned a role. In his rookie season, he played in all 17 games with five starts and recorded 45 tackles, demonstrating the versatility and tackling reliability that had defined his college career.
Entering the 2022 season, Deablo was elevated to a starting linebacker role for the Raiders, and for the first eight games of the year he led the team in tackles before being placed on injured reserve on November 7, 2022. He returned healthy in 2023 and recorded his first career sack on Josh Allen in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. In 2024, he continued to contribute, including a memorable Week 12 moment against the Denver Broncos when he recorded his first career reception of 34 yards in the second quarter off a fake punt thrown by AJ Cole.
Atlanta Falcons Era (2025–Present)
On March 14, 2025, Deablo signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons, beginning a new chapter in his professional career. The move reunited him with a defensive scheme designed to maximize his athleticism and tackling range at the linebacker position. He quickly integrated into the Falcons’ defense and contributed on both defense and special teams early in the season.
Deablo’s 2025 season was interrupted on October 25 when he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a broken forearm in Week 7 against the San Francisco 49ers. He was activated on November 19, ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, signaling a return to action for the closing stretch of the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Deablo is recognized for his physicality, tackling range, and football intelligence. His background as a former wide receiver gives him comfort in coverage and on special teams, while his experience as a safety translated into strong run support and ball-tracking ability. These traits have allowed him to remain a versatile piece of defensive game plans throughout his NFL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most notable moments of Deablo’s career are his 98-yard fumble return for a touchdown against Notre Dame in college, his first NFL sack of Josh Allen in 2023, and his first career reception on a fake punt against the Denver Broncos in 2024. Each milestone highlights a different dimension of his game and the creativity he has brought to the field.
Divine Deablo Career Wins
Deablo’s professional resume through the 2024 season includes steady production as a linebacker, highlighted by 361 total tackles, 3 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and 13 pass deflections. While wins and losses are team outcomes, his individual contributions have been consistent, and he has been a regular contributor on defense and special teams since his rookie year.
NFL Highlights
Over his first four NFL seasons with the Raiders, Deablo appeared in all 17 games as a rookie, posted a team-leading tackles pace in 2022, recorded his first career sack in 2023, and added a 34-yard reception on a fake punt in 2024. His transition to the Atlanta Falcons in 2025 marked the first time in his career he played for a team other than Las Vegas.
Other Performances
At the high school level, Deablo earned All-Central Piedmont Conference honors three consecutive seasons and was named All-Northwest North Carolina as a senior. At Virginia Tech, he earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2020 and was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week in his redshirt junior season, underscoring his consistent recognition across levels of play.
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Divine Deablo Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Divine Deablo’s immediate family are limited. He grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he developed his athletic foundation and ultimately emerged as a high school stand-out before beginning his college career at Virginia Tech.
Personal Life
Deablo has generally kept his personal life out of the public spotlight, focusing attention on his professional career. He continues to be active in community and team settings through his role with the Atlanta Falcons organization.
2025 Season Performance
Deablo’s 2025 season with the Atlanta Falcons began with high expectations following his two-year, $14 million free-agent signing in March. He contributed on defense and special teams in the early weeks of the season, providing the tackling and coverage versatility the Falcons had targeted when they brought him in.
The campaign was interrupted in Week 7 when Deablo suffered a broken forearm against the San Francisco 49ers, leading to his placement on injured reserve on October 25. The Falcons activated him on November 19 ahead of a Week 12 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, setting the stage for a return to the field in the closing stretch of the regular season.
Looking ahead, Deablo’s focus remains on regaining full strength and reestablishing himself as a reliable three-down linebacker for Atlanta. With a contract that runs through 2027, his long-term role with the Falcons will be an important storyline for the organization as it continues to build its defensive identity.
