Azeez Ojulari is an American professional football linebacker who plays for the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). Born on June 16, 2000, in Austell, Georgia, he is of Nigerian descent, with his maternal grandfather being the renowned Yoruba artist and musician Twins Seven Seven.
Early Life and Education
Ojulari attended Marietta High School in Marietta, Georgia, where he excelled as a senior, recording 118 tackles and 11 sacks before suffering a torn ACL. He was selected for the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl and committed to the University of Georgia to play college football.
College Career
After recovering from his high school injury, Ojulari played for the Georgia Bulldogs. In his redshirt freshman year in 2019, he appeared in all 14 games, starting 13, and amassed 36 tackles and 5.5 sacks. He returned as a starter in 2020, earning second-team All-SEC honors and being named Defensive MVP of the 2021 Peach Bowl.
Professional Career
Ojulari was selected by the New York Giants in the second round (50th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year rookie contract on May 13, 2021. In his rookie season, he set a franchise record with eight sacks, surpassing B.J. Hill’s previous record of 5.5 sacks in 2018. However, injuries limited his playtime in the following seasons.
In October 2024, Ojulari filled in admirably for the injured Kayvon Thibodeaux, recording four tackles and two sacks in a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite his individual performance, the Giants lost the game 17-7.
Recent Developments
Leading up to the November 2024 NFL trade deadline, Ojulari’s future with the Giants was uncertain, with reports suggesting he was available for trade. However, the Giants did not receive an offer they deemed satisfactory and retained Ojulari for the remainder of the season.
As of March 2025, Ojulari remains with the Giants, entering his fourth season. His performance in the latter part of the 2024 season has renewed interest from other teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, who expressed interest in signing him before re-signing Joseph Ossai.