New York Giants outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari began his NFL career back in 2021 as a highly-touted second-round draft pick out of Georgia.
Ojulari fell to the second round due to concerns about his surgically repaired knee. The Giants pounced and were rewarded by Ojulari who went on to set a franchise record for sacks by a rookie (8).
But since that season, Ojulari has largely been unavailable due to various injuries that do not include the knee that caused him to drop in the draft.
Ojulari started just 10 games over the next two seasons and headed into training camp this year, he had been replaced by the likes of Kayvon Thibodeaux, Boogie Basham, and Brian Burns.
The Giants had lost hope that the once-promising Ojulari would ever realize his once-massive potential.
This season, those hopes have been rekindled as Ojulari, who will be a free agent next March, has stayed healthy and become a force rushing the passer.
Ojulari has 6.0 sacks over the Giants’ first eight games this season and has gotten an opportunity due to a wrist injury to Thibodeaux. Ojulari put some wisdom behind his answer when asked how he was handling the unexpected opportunity.
“It’s an opportunity that popped up. I’m trying to take advantage of every one I get. Every chance, every rep I get. I’m trying to take it to the fullest I can,” he told reporters on Wednesday. “I know it’s my fourth year here. I just have to give it all I’ve got and try to help this team win. Play good defense. That’s all I want to do, really.”
Now comes the prospect of losing Ojulari to free agency with the team licked into Burns and Thibodeaux.
“Whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I’m just ready to keep working here. I love it here. Ready to keep working. I’m just doing my thing.”
The Giants would love to keep him, too. With the trade deadline less than a week away, they apparently have no intention of moving Ojulari, who is on pace for a 13-sack season.
The real story is that Ojulari has stayed healthy and with that comes a fresh attitude toward the job and the game.
“It feels great because we put in so much work into this game. Nobody wants to be hurt. It’s just part of the game, stuff you can’t control. You’ve got to just play your role, play your game, and just try to be as good as you can when you’re out there,” he said.
Thibodeaux will be back soon and the Giants will once again have an embarrassment of riches in their pass rush, which leads the NFL in sacks this year.
“Whenever he gets back healthy, we just try to continue to compete, execute, push each other, work together and just continue to get better and try to help this team win. And have a great defense all in one,” Ojulari said.
The Giants haven’t had many sunny stories this season and you never know where they are going to come from. The resurgence of Ojulari has been more than a pleasant and welcome surprise for Big Blue.
