LSU football transfer linebacker Ovie Oghoufo has some big shoes to fill. Last year, BJ Ojulari played the Jack linebacker position for the Tigers, but now he’s getting ready for the upcoming NFL season with the Arizona Cardinals. That leaves a major hole to be filled on the LSU football defense. With Oghoufo out of the transfer portal recently being named “Freak of the Week,” he should be more than up to the challenge.
LSU football transfer linebacker Ovie Oghoufo named “Freak of the Week”
Each week, LSU football has been naming one player “Freak of the Week,” based on his performance in practices. Cornerback Laterrance Welch won the honor two weeks ago, while quarterback Garrett Nussmeier earned it last week.
This week, the honoree was none other than former Texas Longhorn Ovie Oghoufo. Oghoufo joined the Tiger football program through the transfer portal this offseason, and he’s clearly already making an impression.
Formerly with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, this will be Oghoufo’s fourth season under head coach Brian Kelly. He spent three seasons with Notre Dame before transferring to Texas for the last two seasons.
With him entering his sixth season in college football, LSU transfer portal addition Oghoufo is likely looking for a big finish to his career.
Oghoufo’s journey to Baton Rouge
Coming out of high school back in 2018, Oghoufo was listed as the No. 37 outside linebacker in the class of 2018. Having been recruited by coach Brian Kelly – with Notre Dame at the time – he would go on to redshirt his freshman year.
He spent the next two seasons with Notre Dame, recording just 22 tackles total. Following the 2020 season, he still had three years of eligibility remaining. This was thanks to the double redshirt rule that came out of the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing him plenty of time to make something out of his college career.
He transferred to Texas before the 2021 season and found a significant place on the Longhorn defense. Over the next two seasons in Austin, TX, he recorded 95 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
Now, for his sixth season in college football, Oghoufo is headed to Baton Rouge to reunite with his former head coach Brian Kelly. It took a bit of a roundabout route, but Oghoufo and Kelly will officially have four seasons of college football together.
Expectations as the LSU football Jack linebacker
Last year, LSU football had one of the best linebackers in the country. BJ Ojulari was a gift for coach Brian Kelly in his premier season with the program.
With Ojulari off to the NFL, Ovie Oghoufo looks like the man who will take over for him. In the Jack linebacker position, Oghoufo will be expected to take on a hybrid role between defensive end and linebacker.
Depending on the lineup, we could see him coming off the edge charging after the quarterback, or we could see him dropping into coverage. It’s one of the most important positions on Kelly’s defense, so it’ll be interesting to see how the transfer adjusts.
The beauty of this entire situation is the relationship that Oghoufo and Kelly have together. They’re officially entering their fourth season together, so they know what to expect when interacting. Not only that, but Oghoufo has played plenty of football over the years. He’s seen plenty of schemes and should be able to slide in with relative ease.
Is he going to completely replace Ojulari? Almost certainly, no. Linebacker BJ Ojulari was an exceptional talent and will be great with the Arizona Cardinals. Still, if Oghoufo can continue to put in work as he has been all offseason, big things could be in store for him.
He was named “Freak of the Week” for a reason. It’s just a matter of putting all the pieces together, and coach Brian Kelly wouldn’t have brought him in if he weren’t confident in his abilities.
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