BJ Ojulari reveals feelings on earning the No. 18 LSU jersey, responsibility it brings

LSU junior defensive end BJ Ojulari will sport No. 18 this season for the Tigers, carrying on a time-honored tradition for the team.

The No. 18 jersey is given to the player — or players — who best exemplify Tigers football. Ojulari was one of the Tigers’ representatives at SEC Media Days this offseason. Already a major part of the defense last season, he had 54 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks, which led the team.

“I think the biggest thing is just the way I carry myself on, and really off the field,” Ojulari told the media about why he will wear the No. 18 well. “Character is a big thing for me. I feel like the whole staff and my teammates recognize how high character I am. And I guess I’m alright on the field, I guess that contributed to it.

“There is a certain responsibility that comes with wearing No. 18. You can’t really mess up. The whole team embraces it. But I just have to keep doing what I’ve been doing like I’ve been wearing No. 8 and everything will take care of itself.”

“His teammates, coaches and the entire staff believe BJ Ojulari embodies what the number 18 represents,” head coach Brian Kelly tweeted upon the announcement. “He carries our traits of excellence every day on and off the field.”

Former No. 18 Jacob Hester took to Twitter to congratulate Ojulari on the honor. Hester wore the number from 2004-07 before becoming a third-round NFL Draft pick.

“The newest member of the [18] fraternity was an absolute no brainer,” Hester tweeted. “He embodies everything it means to be a LSU Tiger on and off the field. Welcome to the club @Bj_O9!”

Kayshon Boutte to wear No. 7 for LSU in 2022

B.J. Ojulari not the only Tiger who’ll wear a coveted number this season. Earlier this offseason, LSU announced wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is wearing No. 7 this season as part of a similar tradition.

LSU’s tradition of awarding the No. 7 jersey to star players stretches back to the 1970s. In 2008, it was popularized with the arrival of Patrick Peterson. Other Tigers who’ve worn the number include Tyrann Mathieu, Leonard Fournette, Ja’Marr Chase and Grant Delpit. In 2021, top LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. donned the legendary No. 7 prior to going No. 3 overall to the Houston Texans in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Boutte has totaled 83 catches for 1,244 yards and 14 touchdowns in his two college seasons. A leg injury held him out of a majority of the Tigers’ season last year, but he should be ready to go for the Tigers’ season opener against Florida State this season.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.