LSU defensive end BJ Ojulari (8) works in a drill in the Tigers' first preseason practice, Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the LSU indoor practice facility in Baton Rouge, La.
LSU defensive end BJ Ojulari (8) works in a drill in the Tigers' first preseason practice, Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the LSU indoor practice facility in Baton Rouge, La.
When asked recently about whether or not he would continue the No. 18 jersey tradition, LSU coach Brian Kelly teased an announcement.
"We're going to award it to a deserving player," he said. "We're just not going to do that today. But it's coming. Stay tuned."
The reveal came Saturday afternoon. Speaking to the team after its third preseason practice, in a video later posted on social media, Kelly reached into a plastic bag. He pulled out a white No. 18 uniform customized for junior edge rusher BJ Ojulari.
The players stood and clapped as Ojulari walked up to receive his new number, with some patting his helmet. A tradition since 2003, the jersey goes to a high-character leader on the team. Kelly specifically looked for attention to detail, focus and positive leadership on and off the field.
"I appreciate all y'all," Ojulari said as he held the jersey. "All my teammates, training staff, coaches, media personnel. Being able to wear 18 and leave my legacy at LSU is the biggest thing for me this season."
The Traits of Excellence needed to earn No. 18 Attention to Detail | Laser Focus | Attitude | Smart | Grit pic.twitter.com/r3Dmb03tMz
A preseason first-team All-Southeastern Conference selection, Ojulari has turned into one of LSU’s best players as he enters his third year. Last fall, he made 55 tackles and 11½ tackles for loss while leading the team with seven sacks.
After spending the beginning of his career as a true defensive end, Ojulari will play more out of a two-point stance in new defensive coordinator Matt House’s scheme. He may occasionally drop into coverage, but his primary responsibility will remain rushing the passer.
“I have to be more vocal in this defense as a leader,” Ojulari said at SEC media days last month. “I feel like I've got to work on being more vocal and more dominant. The defense is going to go dependent on me. I got to be able to go each and every Saturday.”
The No. 18 jersey tradition started with quarterback Matt Mauck, who helped LSU win its first national championship since 1958. Mauck passed the number to freshman running back Jacob Hester the next season. Hester used it for his entire career.
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Since then, the jersey has been worn by 15 other players. LSU gave it to a pair of upperclassmen each of the past three seasons. In 2021, senior linebacker Damone Clark and senior punter/kickoff specialist Avery Atkins shared the number.
Ojulari, a native of Marietta, Georgia, signed with LSU as a four-star recruit in the 2020 class. His older brother, Azeez, played outside linebacker at Georgia. While the siblings are close, BJ wanted to chart his own path by choosing a different school.
The younger brother cracked LSU’s rotation on the defensive line during his freshman year. Playing in every game with one start, Ojulari recorded four sacks and forced a fumble.
Ojulari became a full-time starter a year later, and now he may turn into one of the most disruptive players in the SEC. He'll wear the No. 18 as he does.
“This is a big year for me,” Ojulari said at media days. “A statement year.”
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