Azizi Hearn Bio
Azizi Hearn is an American professional football cornerback. Born on June 5, 1999, he plays the position at the highest level of the sport and has been active since 2023. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighing around 205 pounds, Hearn combines the size and athleticism that teams look for in modern defensive backs.
He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats, Wyoming Cowboys, and UCLA Bruins, building experience across three competitive programs before pursuing a professional career. Since 2023, he has moved between several National Football League organizations on practice squads and reserve contracts.
Early Life and Background
Azizi Hearn grew up in Oceanside, California, a coastal city in Southern California known for producing athletic talent. He attended Oceanside High School, where he developed the skills that would eventually lead him to the college football ranks. The Oceanside community and local coaching played an important role in shaping his early interest in the sport.
Coming out of high school, Hearn was rated as a three-star recruit by scouting services. Despite the attention, he chose to commit to the University of Arizona as a walk-on rather than accepting a scholarship offer elsewhere. That decision reflected his confidence in his own ability and his willingness to earn a spot on the field through hard work and performance.
His early years in California provided the foundation for a career path that would take him through multiple college programs before reaching the professional level.
Path to American Football
Hearn began his college journey at the University of Arizona, where he redshirted during his true freshman season in 2017. The redshirt year allowed him to develop physically and learn the defensive system while preserving a season of eligibility. By 2018, he had earned playing time and appeared in all 12 games, starting the final three contests at cornerback.
His time at Arizona ended abruptly on April 11, 2019, when he was removed from the Wildcats roster. Hearn quickly found a new home at the University of Wyoming, where he continued to develop as a cornerback. At Wyoming, he became a consistent starter over three seasons, building a resume that would later attract attention from larger programs.
On December 26, 2021, Hearn announced that he would be entering the transfer portal, signaling his desire for a new opportunity. On January 17, 2022, he confirmed his commitment to UCLA, joining the Bruins for his final college season and completing a path that took him through three different programs and multiple conferences.
Azizi Hearn Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Hearn’s first taste of college football came at the University of Arizona, where he redshirted in 2017 before working his way into the rotation in 2018. That season, he played all 12 games and started the final three, finishing with 26 recorded tackles, including 20 solo stops and six assisted tackles. He also added 1.0 tackle for loss and a 34-yard fumble return for a touchdown, showcasing his nose for the football.
After being removed from Arizona’s roster in April 2019, Hearn transferred to Wyoming and immediately made an impact. During the 2019 season, he played in all 13 games and started 10 of them, finishing with 37 total tackles and four pass breakups. The move to Wyoming gave him the consistent playing time he needed to refine his craft at the cornerback position.
Wyoming Breakthrough (2019–2021)
At Wyoming, Hearn established himself as a reliable cornerback over three full seasons. In 2019, he started 10 of 13 games and contributed 37 tackles and four pass breakups. His coverage skills and physicality at the line of scrimmage became hallmarks of his game during this stretch.
The 2020 season was shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Hearn still appeared in six games and started all of them, recording 13 tackles and four pass breakups. He returned to full strength in 2021, playing and starting all 13 games while finishing with 30 tackles and five pass breakups. After the 2021 season, he announced his entry into the transfer portal, seeking a final collegiate opportunity at a Power Five program.
UCLA Era (2022)
Hearn joined the UCLA Bruins for the 2022 season and quickly earned a meaningful role in the secondary. He appeared in all 13 games and started six of them during the campaign. He finished the season with 40 recorded tackles, including 26 solo stops and 14 assisted tackles, along with seven pass breakups. His production at UCLA demonstrated that he could compete at a high level against top-tier competition.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hearn signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. His path to a roster spot was competitive, and on August 29, he was released as teams trimmed their rosters ahead of the regular season.
New England Patriots Era (2023–2024)
On September 21, 2023, Hearn signed with the New England Patriots practice squad, joining one of the most storied franchises in the league. He remained with the Patriots through the season, and on January 8, 2024, he signed a reserve and future contract. Hearn was released by New England on August 26 as part of roster cuts.
Carolina Panthers and New York Giants Era (2024)
After his release from New England, Hearn was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad on September 10, 2024. He was released by the Panthers on October 1, but quickly found another opportunity. On December 10, 2024, the New York Giants signed Hearn to their practice squad, giving him another chance to compete at the professional level.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2025)
On August 1, 2025, Hearn signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, joining one of the most successful organizations in recent NFL history. He was waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts, continuing his pursuit of a roster spot with a contending team.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a cornerback, Hearn brings physicality, length, and coverage instincts to the defensive backfield. His college production, including consistent tackle numbers and pass breakups across multiple programs, demonstrates an ability to contribute in both run support and pass defense. His willingness to move between programs and adapt to new schemes reflects a resilient and coachable approach to the position.
Notable Events and Milestones
A notable moment in Hearn’s college career came during the 2018 season at Arizona, when he returned a fumble 34 yards for a touchdown, highlighting his playmaking ability. His transition from a three-star walk-on recruit at Arizona to a starter at three different college programs stands as a testament to his perseverance. Reaching the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 also marked a significant milestone in his football journey.
Azizi Hearn Career Wins
Azizi Hearn’s professional career has been defined more by perseverance and movement between practice squads than by headline victories. Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, he has signed with multiple organizations, including the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs. His journey reflects the difficult but common path of undrafted players working to establish themselves in the league.
Other Wins & Performances
While win totals at the professional level are not prominently documented, Hearn’s college resume includes consistent production across multiple programs. His 40 tackles and seven pass breakups at UCLA in 2022 represent one of his strongest statistical seasons, while his 37 tackles at Wyoming in 2019 showed his ability to contribute as a starter in a major conference.
Azizi Hearn Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Azizi Hearn’s family background is limited. He grew up in Oceanside, California, and attended Oceanside High School, where his early development as a football player took place. Details about his parents and any family members involved in athletics are not widely available.
Personal Life
Information about Hearn’s personal life, including marital status and family relationships, is not publicly documented in available sources. His focus appears to be on continuing his professional football career, having already navigated multiple teams and practice squad stints since 2023.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Hearn signing with the Kansas City Chiefs on August 1, giving him an opportunity to compete for a spot on one of the most successful rosters in the NFL. His release on August 26 as part of final roster cuts marked the end of that particular chapter, but his continued movement between organizations suggests he remains determined to find a landing spot.
Given his history of joining practice squads and reserve contracts, Hearn’s outlook for the 2025 season likely involves waiting for an opportunity to sign with another team. His experience across multiple defensive systems and his proven ability to contribute on special teams and in the secondary give him a credible path back to an active roster.
As the 2025 NFL season progresses, Hearn’s career arc remains a story of persistence. From a walk-on at Arizona to stints with multiple NFL franchises, he continues to pursue his goal of establishing himself as a consistent presence in a professional secondary.