NFLSU: What makes BJ Ojulari the steal of the 2023 NFL Draft

BJ Ojulari was a second-round pick after an outstanding three-year tenure with LSU football. As such, his upside suggests he’s the steal of the 2023 NFL Draft.

BJ Ojulari has the perfect blend of athletic ability and football IQ to thrive on the NFL gridiron. He is powerful at the point of attack, and his accurate hands make him a problem for anyone blocking him on the line. Moreover, Ojulari has excellent length and bend, meaning even elite blockers will have trouble keeping him contained all game.

Suffice it to say; we were shocked when the EDGE prospect from LSU football dropped out of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Arizona Cardinals snatched Ojulari up with the 41st overall selection. He joins a franchise with a new general manager, head coach, and direction. However, Ojulari is poised to serve as a cornerstone of Arizona’s defense for several years.

BJ Ojulari has big shoes to fill in the desert and is pressured to live up to his brother’s name. Azeez Ojulari has played outside linebacker for the New York Giants since 2021. However, LSU football fans can argue that BJ is already ahead of Azeez. Indeed, the younger Ojulari was drafted nine spots sooner than his brother.

If there is a knock on BJ Ojulari, it is his size. We suspect other scouts doubted his ability to transition from a college JACK linebacker to a conventional NFL outside linebacker. Regardless, we think that Ojulari’s speed and power will make up for any height and weight shortcomings at the professional level.

Ojulari departed LSU football as one of the best players on the Tigers’ defense. Moreover, the 21-year-old was steadily improving his game.

Ojulari was high on many schools’ recruiting boards as the No. 3 EDGE recruit in 2019. He had offers from major programs, including the Tennessee Volunteers, where he initially committed to play. Thankfully, after an official visit to Death Valley, the defender flipped his commitment to LSU football.

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BJ Ojulari played only eight games as a freshman in Baton Rouge. Regardless, the Marietta (Ga.) product still managed to rack up 12 solo tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, and added four sacks. Ojulari was even better in 2021.

As a sophomore, Ojulari posted 31 solo tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and seven sacks. Suffice it to say; he was a much-needed shot in the arm for a team needing a boost down the stretch. Ojulari slightly regressed statistically in his final season with LSU football. However, he shared the field with Harold Perkins, who established himself as a college football phenom.

Several NFL draft experts issued Ojulari a first-round draft grade despite his dip in production. His drop to the second round isn’t terrible, considering the pick came in the round’s 10th spot.

Regardless, we think the Cardinals nabbed themselves one of the most electrifying players of the 2023 class.