Azizi Hearn Bio
Azizi Hearn is an American professional football cornerback. Born on June 5, 1999, in Oceanside, California, he currently plays for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). Hearn attended Oceanside High School before beginning a college career that included stops at Arizona, Wyoming, and UCLA. After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent and has since moved through several NFL practice squads.
Listed at six feet one inch and 204 pounds, Hearn is known for his quickness, physicality at the line of scrimmage, and steady tackling in run support. He joined the DC Defenders in January 2026 after stints with multiple NFL organizations, and he continues to pursue his professional career in the spring football league.
Early Life and Background
Azizi Hearn was raised in Oceanside, California, a coastal city in San Diego County known for producing athletes. He attended Oceanside High School, where he developed into a three-star recruit at cornerback. Coming out of high school, Hearn was not a top national prospect, but his size, speed, and instincts made him an attractive option for college programs looking for a developmental defensive back.
Although he was not heavily recruited by major programs, Hearn received an opportunity to play at the college level. He ultimately chose to walk on at the University of Arizona, embracing the chance to prove himself without an athletic scholarship. This decision shaped his early work ethic and his understanding of how to earn a role on a roster.
Path to American Football
Hearn’s path to the professional ranks began when he committed to Arizona as a walk-on in 2017. He redshirted during his true freshman year, allowing him to develop his body and learn the team’s defensive system. The patience paid off in 2018, when he saw action in all 12 games and started the final three contests at cornerback. He finished the season with 26 tackles, one tackle for loss, and a fumble return for a touchdown.
After leaving the Arizona program in April 2019, Hearn transferred to Wyoming, where he became a starter in the Mountain West Conference. His steady production over three seasons in Laramie, paired with a strong senior year at UCLA, positioned him as a potential professional prospect. Following his 2022 season with the Bruins, Hearn declared for the 2023 NFL Draft and signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent.
Azizi Hearn Career
Early Career (2017-2019)
Azizi Hearn began his college career at Arizona, where he redshirted in 2017 and then earned a starting role during the 2018 season. His debut year as a starter showed flashes of his tackling ability, including a fumble recovery returned 34 yards for a touchdown. In April 2019, Hearn was removed from the Arizona roster, prompting a transfer that would lead him to the University of Wyoming.
At Wyoming, Hearn quickly became a reliable contributor in the secondary. In 2019, he appeared in all 13 games and started 10, finishing with 37 tackles and four pass breakups. His willingness to take on bigger roles in the Cowboys’ defense marked him as a player with the mental toughness to handle conference-level competition.
Wyoming Breakthrough (2019-2021)
Hearn’s time at Wyoming produced his most consistent stretch of college play. During the 2020 season, shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, he started all six games he appeared in and added 13 tackles and four pass breakups. Despite the limited schedule, he showed the durability and technique that NFL scouts look for in a developmental cornerback.
His senior season in 2021 was particularly productive. Hearn started all 13 games and recorded 30 tackles, 22 of which were solo stops, and five pass breakups. By the end of the year, he had developed into a dependable outside corner capable of matching up with bigger receivers. On December 26, 2021, Hearn announced he would enter the transfer portal, and in January 2022, he confirmed his move to UCLA.
UCLA Era (2022)
Hearn’s lone season at UCLA in 2022 gave him a chance to compete in the Pac-12, one of the top conferences in college football. He appeared in all 13 games and started six, finishing the year with 40 tackles and seven pass breakups. Facing elite passing offenses week in and week out helped refine his coverage skills and route recognition.
After the 2022 season, Hearn declared for the 2023 NFL Draft. Although he went undrafted, his experience in two major conferences and his strong special teams background kept him on NFL radars. He signed with the Las Vegas Raiders shortly after the draft, launching his professional career.
NFL Journey (2023-2025)
Hearn signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023, but was released on August 29 as the team trimmed its roster. Less than a month later, on September 21, 2023, he was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad, where he spent the rest of the season. On January 8, 2024, Hearn signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots before being released in late August.
Throughout 2024, Hearn moved between several practice squads. He was signed by the Carolina Panthers on September 10, released on October 1, and later joined the New York Giants practice squad on December 10. In 2025, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on August 1 before being waived during final roster cuts on August 26. On January 14, 2026, Hearn was selected by the DC Defenders of the UFL, where he currently plays wearing number 20.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hearn’s journey through five NFL practice squads and a UFL roster is itself a notable milestone. He played 12 games at Arizona, 32 at Wyoming, 13 at UCLA, and continued to grind at the professional level after going undrafted. The 2018 fumble return for a touchdown and his 2021 senior year start at Wyoming stand out as early career highlights.
Azizi Hearn Career Wins
Azizi Hearn’s professional statistics remain limited because he has spent the majority of his career on practice squads rather than active rosters. While exact win totals, tackles, and pass breakups at the NFL level are not fully verified through public sources, his college production is well documented and includes 26 tackles at Arizona, 80 tackles across three seasons at Wyoming, and 40 tackles during his single season at UCLA.
College Highlights
Hearn appeared in 57 college games across three programs and started in at least 29 of them. He recorded 16 pass breakups during his college career and added a defensive touchdown at Arizona in 2018. His 2022 season at UCLA, where he posted 40 tackles, was the most productive statistical year of his college career.
Azizi Hearn Family
Personal Life
Limited public information is available about Azizi Hearn’s personal life. He is an American citizen who grew up in Oceanside, California, and currently resides in the United States while pursuing his football career. Details about his spouse, children, or other family members have not been publicly verified.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another step in Hearn’s professional journey, beginning with his signing to the Kansas City Chiefs on August 1. Although he was waived on August 26 as part of the league’s final roster cuts, the opportunity to join one of the NFL’s most decorated franchises reflected his continued standing as a respected developmental cornerback. Hearn used the time after his release to stay in shape and prepare for his next opportunity.
On January 14, 2026, Hearn was selected by the DC Defenders of the United Football League, giving him a roster spot to showcase his skills in the spring league. He wears number 20 for the Defenders and is expected to compete for a starting role in the secondary. With his blend of college experience, NFL practice squad seasoning, and proven tackling ability, Hearn enters the 2025 UFL campaign focused on earning a larger professional contract and possibly returning to an NFL active roster.