LSU defensive end BJ Ojulari praises Tigers new defensive coordinator Matt House

LSU players are still adjusting to the new coaching staff of the Brian Kelly era in Baton Rouge. On Thursday evening, Tigers star defensive end B.J. Ojulari had nothing but great things to say about his new defensive coordinator Matt House. The star pass rusher also said he expects big things from the Tiger defense this season.

“Coach House, he’s doing an amazing job in my opinion. Just my understanding of the game — just being with him for just one spring — has definitely gone up,” Ojulari said to Jacques Doucet of WAFB Channel 9 Sports in Baton Rouge. “He gives a NFL feel to the defense. He preaches grit, strength — all the coaches are on the same page preaching the same thing. So, I just think it’s gonna be a great season. [We’re gonna] have an amazing defense. We should have the best defensive in the country, in my opinion.”

Ojulari’s freakishly talented brother, Azeez Ojulari, starred for Georgia before moving onto the New York Giants in the NFL. Both were dominant pass rushers during their college football careers. Last season for the Tigers, B.J. Ojulari racked up 11.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and nine quarterback hurries. As a freshman at LSU in 2020, the Marietta, Georgia, native suited up in eight games and totaled 16 tackles with five tackles for loss, four sacks, one pass defended, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

He’s one of the more gifted pass rushers in college football and with another big year next year, figures to be a first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. ESPN’s Todd McShay recently projected him as the No. 23 overall pick in his way-too-early mock for next offseason. According to the On3 Consensus Rankings for the 2020 class, he was rated as the No. 78 overall prospect in America.

On3’s Jonathan Wagner also contributed to this article