Azeez Ojulari Bio
Azeez O. Ojulari is an American professional football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 16, 2000, in Austell, Georgia, he rose to national recognition after a productive college career with the Georgia Bulldogs and was selected in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the New York Giants. Across his professional career, Ojulari has built a reputation as a productive edge rusher known for his quick first step and ability to disrupt opposing backfields.
Early Life and Background
Azeez Ojulari was born on June 16, 2000, in Austell, Georgia, to Nigerian parents of Yoruba heritage. He grew up in the greater Atlanta area and attended Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he developed into one of the most sought-after defensive prospects in the state.
During his senior season at Marietta, Ojulari recorded 118 tackles and 11 sacks before suffering a torn ACL. Despite the injury, his body of work was enough to earn a selection to the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl, one of the premier high school all-star showcases in the country. Following his recovery, he committed to the University of Georgia to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Path to American Football
Ojulari’s progression to top-tier American football began in the recruiting-rich landscape of Georgia, where his high school production made him a priority recruit for several major college programs. His decision to attend the University of Georgia placed him within a defensive system known for developing NFL-caliber pass rushers.
After arriving in Athens, Ojulari redshirted his first year in 2018 while recovering from the ACL injury that had ended his senior season. The patience paid off, as he returned healthy and quickly emerged as a foundational piece of the Bulldogs’ defense during one of the most successful periods in program history.
Azeez Ojulari Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Ojulari’s college career began in limited fashion, appearing in two games during the 2018 season before taking a redshirt year to rehabilitate his knee. Once healthy, he broke out as a redshirt freshman in 2019, playing in all 14 games and making 13 starts for the Bulldogs. He finished that campaign with 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks, establishing himself as one of the Southeastern Conference’s most promising young edge defenders.
As a sophomore in 2020, Ojulari returned as a full-time starter and elevated his play. He was named second-team All-SEC and was recognized as the defensive MVP of the 2021 Peach Bowl. His combination of production and postseason impact positioned him as a clear NFL prospect heading into the 2021 Draft process.
New York Giants Era (2021–2024)
Ojulari was selected by the New York Giants in the second round, 50th overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021, and immediately carved out a role as a rotational pass rusher. By season’s end, Ojulari had recorded 8 sacks, setting an all-time Giants rookie record and surpassing the previous mark of 5.5 sacks set by B. J. Hill in 2018.
In 2022, Ojulari opened the year as a key piece of the Giants’ defensive front before being placed on injured reserve on October 22. He was activated on December 3 and closed the year with 5.5 sacks, finishing second on the team behind defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. He returned to injured reserve on October 14, 2023, before being reactivated on November 11.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2025–Present)
On March 19, 2025, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Ojulari to a one-year contract worth $4 million, signaling a fresh start after his injury-interrupted tenure in New York. The move paired him with an established defensive line and offered an opportunity to expand his role as an edge rusher.
Ojulari’s 2025 season was interrupted on November 1, when he was placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury. Despite the setback, his arrival in Philadelphia marked a new chapter in his career, with the Eagles betting on his pass-rushing upside.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ojulari’s most defining professional moment came in his rookie season, when his 8 sacks set a New York Giants franchise record for sacks by a rookie. The accomplishment placed him alongside a short list of first-year edge defenders to lead their team in quarterback takedowns and helped validate his second-round selection.
Azeez Ojulari Career Wins
While career win totals for a defensive player are measured differently than for offensive positions, Ojulari has accumulated double-digit sack totals across multiple NFL seasons, highlighted by his record-setting rookie campaign. His production in both New York and Philadelphia has established him as a reliable edge presence when healthy.
Other Wins & Performances
Ojulari earned second-team All-SEC honors in 2020 and was named the defensive MVP of the 2021 Peach Bowl, both significant collegiate accolades that helped pave his path to the NFL. His consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks remains his primary statistical calling card at the professional level.
Azeez Ojulari Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Azeez Ojulari was born the son of Nigerian immigrants, grounding his family story in a heritage of athletic and artistic tradition. His maternal grandfather was the late Yoruba artist and musician Twins Seven Seven, a prominent figure in Nigerian cultural history whose legacy adds a distinctive artistic dimension to the family’s background.
Personal Life
Ojulari’s younger brother, BJ Ojulari, followed a similar athletic path, playing college football at LSU before being selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2023 NFL Draft. The two brothers represent one of the notable sibling pairs in recent NFL Draft history.
2025 Season Performance
Ojulari’s 2025 campaign with the Philadelphia Eagles began with promise after his one-year, $4 million signing in March. Placed into a defensive rotation designed to maximize his pass-rushing strengths, he was positioned to contribute as a situational edge rusher while working his way back to full health.
His season was halted on November 1 when he was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury, interrupting the momentum he had begun to build within the Eagles’ defensive scheme. The placement underscored the recurring injury concerns that have followed him since his high school days, while also highlighting the organization’s continued belief in his long-term upside.
Looking ahead, Ojulari remains under contract through the 2026 offseason, giving him a clear window to re-establish himself as a full-time contributor. With his rookie-record production still fresh in evaluators’ minds, a healthy return to the field would reaffirm his status as one of the more intriguing edge-rushing talents of his draft class.