BJ Ojulari Bio
Jamiu Bolaji “BJ” Ojulari is an American professional football linebacker for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the LSU Tigers and was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Ojulari grew up in Marietta, Georgia, where he excelled in high school football, setting records and earning accolades before making a successful transition to college football at LSU, where he quickly established himself as a standout defender.
Early Life and Background
BJ Ojulari was born on April 5, 2002, in Marietta, Georgia, and raised in the same city. He attended Marietta High School, where he developed into one of the most productive pass rushers in the region. His parents immigrated to the United States from Nigeria, and his maternal grandfather was the renowned Yoruba artist Twins Seven Seven, a notable connection that grounds his family background in a strong cultural heritage.
As a senior at Marietta High School, Ojulari set a school record with 19 sacks and was named the Area Defensive Player of the Year by the Marietta Daily Journal. His combination of size, quickness, and motor drew attention from college recruiters across the country. He originally committed to play college football at Tennessee before flipping his commitment to LSU during his senior season, a decision that set the stage for his rise as a top defensive prospect.
Path to American Football
Ojulari arrived at LSU as part of a highly rated recruiting class and quickly earned a role in the Tigers’ defensive rotation. He played in all ten of LSU’s games as a freshman, finishing the season with 16 tackles, four sacks, five tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. His play earned him a spot on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Freshman team, an early signal of his pass-rushing potential.
During his freshman campaign, Ojulari was named the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after sacking South Carolina quarterback Collin Hill three times for a loss of 21 yards. As a sophomore, he earned the same weekly honor again after a two-and-a-half sack performance in a 49–21 win over Central Michigan. By the end of his sophomore year, he had established himself as one of the top edge defenders in the SEC, leading to First-team All-SEC honors in 2022 and a decision to enter the NFL Draft.
BJ Ojulari Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
BJ Ojulari’s early career was spent at LSU, where he became a foundational piece of the Tigers’ defensive front from his first season. He appeared in every game as a freshman and steadily increased his production, finishing his sophomore year with All-SEC recognition. His combination of length, power, and technique made him a disruptive presence off the edge.
Across his college career, Ojulari built a reputation as a relentless pass rusher who could also hold up against the run. By the end of his sophomore season, he had been recognized twice as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week and had earned First-team All-SEC honors in 2022. Those performances positioned him as a second-round prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft.
NFL Breakthrough with the Arizona Cardinals (2023)
Ojulari was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the second round, 41st overall, of the 2023 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in all 17 games and made an immediate impact on the Cardinals’ defense. He finished his first professional season with four sacks, 40 total tackles (23 solo), and one pass defended, earning him a reputation as a reliable young edge defender.
His rookie campaign signaled a strong start to his professional trajectory, as he adjusted quickly to the speed and complexity of the NFL. The Cardinals relied on his ability to pressure the quarterback while also contributing in run support and on special teams.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2023–Present)
Heading into his second season, Ojulari was expected to take on an expanded role as a pass rusher for the Cardinals. However, on August 2, 2024, he suffered a torn ACL, an injury that ruled him out for the entire 2024 season. The setback was a major pause in what had been a promising early career, and his recovery became a focal point for the Cardinals’ medical and training staff.
Ojulari began the 2025 season on the reserve/PUP list while he continued to recover from his ACL injury. He was activated on November 15, 2025, ahead of the team’s Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, marking his return to the active roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
BJ Ojulari’s career is already marked by several notable milestones. He was a 2023 second-round draft pick, an immediate contributor as a rookie with four sacks, and a First-team All-SEC selection in 2022 at LSU. 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, making the Ojulari brothers one of the more notable sibling pass-rushing pairs in recent NFL memory.
BJ Ojulari Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
BJ Ojulari comes from a family with deep athletic and cultural roots. His parents immigrated to the United States from Nigeria, and his maternal grandfather was the celebrated Yoruba artist Twins Seven Seven, a connection that ties the family to a rich artistic heritage. The Ojulari household emphasized hard work and discipline, traits that helped shape BJ’s approach to football.
Personal Life
BJ Ojulari is the younger brother of Azeez Ojulari, who played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Both brothers have established themselves as NFL edge defenders, a rare family accomplishment in professional football. Ojulari was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, and continues to be recognized for his Nigerian-American heritage.
2025 Season Performance
BJ Ojulari’s 2025 season storyline has centered on his return from a torn ACL suffered in August 2024. He began the year on the reserve/PUP list, and the Cardinals took a patient approach with his recovery. His activation on November 15, 2025, ahead of the team’s Week 11 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, marked the end of a long rehabilitation process and a return to game action for the young pass rusher.
Through his early NFL career, Ojulari had recorded 49 total tackles, five sacks, and one pass deflection, according to his career NFL statistics as of 2025. Those numbers reflect both his rookie production and his limited playing time following his injury. The Cardinals viewed him as a key piece of their defensive front heading into his activation, with the goal of gradually increasing his snap count.
Looking ahead, Ojulari’s outlook in 2025 and beyond will depend on how he regains his pre-injury form and re-establishes himself as a consistent contributor on the edge. The Cardinals invested a second-round pick in his potential, and his 2025 return represents the first step in delivering on that promise.