Arizona Cardinals linebacker B.J. Ojulari had an impressive rookie season with the squad and posted 4 sacks, 5 tackles for loss, and 23 solo tackles. Ojulari was picked by the Cardinals in the second round as the 41st pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Ojulari’s number at LSU and during his first year with the Cardinals was 18. However, with the Cardinals acquiring Fred Biletnikoff Award recipient wide receiver in 2024 NFL Draft in the first round as the 4th pick, Marvin Harrison Jr., Ojulari will give up his jersey number to the upcoming talented prospect from Ohio State.
The linebacker mentioned, as per the Cardinals, “(Marvin) wore 18 in college, I wore 18 in college, and it means a lot to both of us, but we all came to an agreement to let him have 18. He’s going to be a big part of our offense this year and he’s a great guy. He approached me. He gave me a call, we chopped it up, had a good conversation. We all ended up happy. I switched to a different number. It’s all good. We’re all going to make plays and win games.”
Ojulari, moving forward, will not retain his No. 18 number but will acquire No. 9, as his earlier number will be given to Harrison Jr.
He further mentioned, “I like the idea, because single-digit guys make plays, especially coming off the edge. Having that little bit of swag, little kids looking up to you, they want to be No. 9. But at the end of the day, your play is going to talk for you, no matter what number you’re wearing.”
Harrison Jr. in his collegiate career posted 2,495 receiving yards, including 31 touchdowns, across 37 games played. Last year, he also won the Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year, and he has also won the Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year award two-times.
