Former Georgia Bulldogs star's lack of NFL Free Agency interest confirms worst suspicions from critics as he remains unsigned
The NFL is an unforgiving business when it comes to free agency. Players may have produced for other teams in the past. They may have been incredible NFL Draft prospects when they entered the league. However, unless free agents have been productive, healthy, and offer significantly high future upside NFL teams often overlook some extremely […]
The NFL is an unforgiving business when it comes to free agency. Players may have produced for other teams in the past. They may have been incredible NFL Draft prospects when they entered the league. However, unless free agents have been productive, healthy, and offer significantly high future upside NFL teams often overlook some extremely talented players.
And it seems one former Georgia Bulldogs star who is still quite young and has been productive in spurts is one of those NFL free agents currently being overlooked so far this spring. Why? It seems like the worst suspicions have been confirmed given an injury history that has plagued him his entire career.
Azeez Ojulari, NFL Free Agent Edge Defender
According to multiple sources like CBS Sports and Pro Football Focus, former Georgia Bulldogs and New York Giants star Azeez Ojulari ranks as one of the best remaining NFL free agents as week two of free agency frenzy kicks off. It's a bit bizarre given that he's still just 24 years old, and he's racked up 22 sacks in just 46 career games, showing incredible explosiveness and production throughout his young NFL career.
However, as some Giants fans are far too familiar with, there's been one problem with Ojulari to this point in his career. The injuries.
Back when Azeez Ojulari was still in high school he tore his ACL prior to his first year with the Georgia Bulldogs. That injury led to him being a bit limited as a true freshman, ultimately redshirting his first season in Athens. However, after that he was largely incredible healthy over the next two seasons for Kirby Smart and his ferocious defenses in 2019 and 2020 as he became a star and leader for Georgia.
But then came the NFL Draft and his surgically repaired knee came up as a bit of a medical red flag, leading to a slight drop on draft day. Despite that red flag, Ojulari stayed completely healthy for his rookie season, playing in every single game. Unfortunately that was the only time he did so.
When the 2022 NFL season rolled around he struggled with several weeks of calf injury issues, followed by struggles with his ankle. Then in 2023 he injured his ankle again and messed up his hamstring. And then last year, just when he was regaining some momentum, Ojulari ruptured a ligament in his big toe, missing the final six games of the season.
It's been a rough go of things for Ojulari now three years in a row and it seems the NFL is a bit concerned with his health moving forward. Otherwise there would be no reason for a 24-year-old productive pass rusher would remain unsigned.
Let's hope this former Georgia Bulldogs great can get back to his healthy self and earn a second chance with a nice NFL contract. He's too good of a player not to continue making Georgia fans proud at the next level.
Georgia Bulldogs and Kirby Smart trying hard to keep elite defensive recruit home and away from SEC rivals amid visits
Georgia trying to keep elite recruit home, away from SEC rivals
We'll be back with more Georgia Bulldogs coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!
If you want to see a film breakdown of Azeez Ojulari with some of his excellent pass rush reps from last season just check out the video below! He clearly should be signed by now.
