BJ Ojulari was awarded the #18 jersey in 2022 for his motor and consistency. He’s a fun edge rusher prospect who clearly sees some upside to his game but has yet to put everything together. He’s building toward being a professional, beginning to show a developed plan when he goes into a rep, and really was starting to use his hands well at the end of the 2022 season. 

There is a lot of upside to BJ Ojulari’s game, in fact I think upside is the reason he gets drafted as soon as he does. He’s starting to show a plan, using his hands very well at the end of last year. Now, he’s flashed very good bend to work under tackles with, is still developing his hands and plan, and has a good motor – that’s typically the keys to a successful edge rusher in the NFL. 

#LSU EDGE BJ Ojulari (True Jr) has the traits and mindset to become a dominant pro. Says one veteran scout I spoke with: “It’s all there. His bend and quickness. I think he’s gonna be a star. He created havoc against quality SEC tackles. Quarterbacks feel his presence. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/tXTeFqgwiD

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 3, 2023

Suffered a minor injury in the opening game of 2022 and missed two games. Did not do a full workout at the NFL Combine due to a hamstring injury. 

BJ Ojulari’s scouting report

Athletic Ability (35)

Speed/Athleticism: 15 

• Speed (5.5/7) – Solid speed. Excellent athlete. Sort of a RUSH EDGE/Off Ball LB hybrid. 
• Lateral Quickness (3/4) – Lateral quickness is good, not great. 
• Body Control (3.5/4) – Has good body control to turn his body and move wherever he has to. Changes direction and pursuit angles well. 

Burst: 10 

• First Step Burst (3.5/5) – First step is good but not great. 
• Explosion (3.5/5) – Explosive athlete. Didn’t test well at the Combine but looks explosive on tape. 

Power/Strength: 10 

• Upper Body Strength (2/3) – Good, not great, upper body strength. Could be far more dominant. 
• Lower Body Strength (2.5/3) – Has some lower body explosion and strength to push the blocker back when he goes speed to power. 
• Brute Power (1.5/4) – Not much of a brute. Will need to win with finesse. 

Pass Rushing Mechanics (20)

Bend: 10 

• Balance (3.5/5) – Balance for the most part is good. Doesn’t handle late contact well, won’t be able to beat a double team. 
• Bend (4/5) – Flashes some excellent bend. Doesn’t always show it consistently but he has the ability to dip very well. 

Finesse: 10 

• Hand Usage (3/5) – Struggles in technique with hand fighting. Just doesn’t have a plan entering a rep. When he does, he is an effective pass rusher. Very strong hands. 
• Hand Placement (3.5/5) – Ojulari’s hand placement is good enough to continuously drive the blocker back with a solid stiff arm and patience through the rep. 

Defending Ability (40)

Tackling/Pursuit: 15

• Tackling Ability (3/5) – Average tackler. Doesn’t show much of anything special, doesn’t wrap up as well as he needs to. 
• Space Defending (3.5/5) – Shows solid contain ability. Does a good job setting to pursue the play regardless. Could be better about closing. 
• Pursuit Angles (4/5) – Good pursuit angles to the perimeter.

Coverage Ability: 20

• Instincts (7/10) – Fairly instinctive, can move toward the play and feel it sometimes. 
• Man Cover (3/5) – Shows some man coverage ability underneath to the flats. Doesn’t look much like a prospect who will stretch the field and follow someone vertically effectively. 
• Zone Cover (3/5) – Has some zone coverage ability but doesn’t have a natural feel for his zone. Looks very forced. 

Motor/Consistency: 5

• Motor (3.5/5) – Shows a good motor. Does a great job staying with the play and hustling if the quarterback holds onto the ball too long. 

Overall: (77) – 2nd/3rd Round