BJ Ojulari explained

Jamiu Bolaji "BJ" Ojulari (born April 5, 2002) is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU.

Early life

Ojulari grew up in Marietta, Georgia, and attended Marietta High School. As a senior, he set a school record with 19 sacks and was named the Area Defensive Player of the Year with Marietta Daily Journal.^[1] Ojulari initially committed to play college football at Tennessee, but flipped his commitment to LSU during senior season.^[2]

College career

Ojulari played in all ten of LSU's games as a freshman and finished the season with 16 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for loss with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery and was named to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team.^[3] He was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after sacking South Carolina quarterback Collin Hill three times for a loss of 21 yards.^[4] Ojulari was named the conference Defensive Lineman of the Week a second time after a 2½ sack performance in a 49-21 win over Central Michigan in the third week of his sophomore season.^[5]

Professional career

Ojulari was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round, 41st overall, of the 2023 NFL draft.^[6] As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games in the 2023 season. He finished with four sacks, 40 total tackles (23 solo), and one pass defended.^[7]

On August 2, 2024, Ojulari suffered a torn ACL, ruling him out for the 2024 season.^[8]

Personal life

Ojulari's parents immigrated to the United States from Nigeria and his maternal grandfather was the Yoruba artist Twins Seven Seven.^[9] His older brother, Azeez Ojulari, played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs before being drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.^{[10] [11]}

External links

• Arizona Cardinals bio
• LSU Tigers bio

Notes and References

1. Web site: MDJ Defensive Player of the Year: Ojulari leads Marietta defense to new heights. John. Bednarowski. Marietta Daily Journal. December 25, 2019. September 23, 2021.
2. Web site: Toppmeyer . Blake . October 27, 2019 . Four-star DE BJ Ojulari flips commitment from Tennessee to LSU . September 23, 2021 . Knoxville News Sentinel.
3. Web site: Dixon . Shea . January 6, 2021 . BJ Ojulari returns in 2021 after Freshman All-SEC season . June 6, 2023 . 247Sports . en.
4. Web site: LSU DE BJ Ojulari and KR Trey Palmer named SEC Players of the Week. Josh. Auzenne. WAFB.com. October 26, 2020. September 23, 2021.
5. Web site: BJ the Beast: Ojulari using 'natural-born' pass-rushing skills to help LSU lead the nation in sacks. Sheldon. Mickles. The Advocate. September 23, 2021. September 23, 2021.
6. Web site: Urban . Darren . April 28, 2023 . Cardinals Get Edge Rusher BJ Ojulari In Second Round . June 6, 2023 . AZCardinals.com.
7. Web site: BJ Ojulari 2023 Game Log . 2024-08-03 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
8. Web site: Weinfuss . Josh . Source: Cards LB Ojulari tears ACL, out for season . ESPN.com . 2024-08-03 . 2024-08-03.
9. Web site: Meet LSU's B.J. Ojulari: grandson of a Nigerian prince, descendant of a king — and a key pass rusher. Brooks. Kubena. The Advocate. September 22, 2020. September 23, 2021.
10. Web site: 'For family': Behind what drives the SEC's Ojulari-brother pass-rush tandem. Seth. Emerson. Brody. Miller. The Athletic. October 29, 2020. September 23, 2021.
11. Web site: Schwartz . Paul . April 30, 2021 . Giants score potential NFL Draft coup with Azeez Ojulari pick . May 1, 2021 . New York Post.