Azeez Ojulari

Azeez O. Ojulari is an American professional football linebacker hailing from Austell, Georgia. Born on June 16, 2000, to Nigerian parents of Yoruba ethnicity, Ojulari is known for his contributions to the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Throughout his football career, Ojulari has shown excellent commitment and dedication to the game, both in college and on the professional field.

Growing up in Georgia, Ojulari attended Marietta High School in Marietta. He showed incredible talent and potential during his senior year, earning 118 tackles and 11 sacks. Unfortunately, a torn ACL interfered with his stellar performance, leaving fans and teammates anxious about his future. Despite this setback, Ojulari’s talent and hard work earned him a place at the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. During this time, he made a pledge to continue his football journey at the University of Georgia.

With a proven track record and an unyielding will, Ojulari bounced back from his torn ACL, showing true resilience. In 2018, he played two games in his first year at the University of Georgia and took a redshirt for the rest of the season. As a redshirt freshman in 2019, Ojulari left an impressive mark with his participation in all 14 games, making 13 starts. His stats further confirmed his skill, recording 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

In 2020, he returned to the University of Georgia as a starter and continued to demonstrate his incredible skill and prowess during the season. As a testament to his performance, Ojulari was honored with second-team All-SEC and was also the defensive MVP of the 2021 Peach Bowl.

His college years paved the way to his eventual draft to the New York Giants in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft. Ojulari, who was the 50th overall pick, signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021. His rookie season soon became an all-time record for the Giants, with Ojulari finishing the season with 8 sacks surpassing B. J. Hill’s record of 5.5 sacks in 2018.

Unfortunately, his football journey met another hurdle on October 22, 2022, when Ojulari was placed on injured reserve. However, he returned to the field on December 3, 2022, and finished the season with 5.5 sacks, proving his impeccable skills and positional sense yet again.

Another setback occurred on October 14, 2023, when Ojulari was placed on injured reserve once again. He was reactivated by the Giants on their active roster on November 11 that year. Through the ups and downs, Ojulari continued to demonstrate his strength, resilience, and extraordinary football skills.

Away from his football journey, Ojulari’s family background is equally intriguing. His maternal grandfather was the late Yoruban artist and musician Twins Seven Seven. Continuing the family tradition in sports, his younger brother, BJ Ojulari, also took to football and played college football at LSU. Similar to his older brother, BJ too, was drafted to the NFL in 2023 by the Arizona Cardinals.

Azeez O. Ojulari continues to be an inspiration to many, with an exemplary football journey marked by resilience, exceptional performance, and the art of turning challenges into opportunities.