Six LSU Tigers Selected in the 2023 NFL Draft

LSU didn’t have any first-round draft picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, but the Tigers still saw action on days two and three of the draft. Six Tigers heard their names called, and their dreams of playing in the NFL will soon become a reality. The first LSU Tigers to come off the board was defensive end BJ Ojulari as the Arizona Cardinals selected him with the 41st overall pick. The six selections now mark the fourth consecutive year that LSU has had at least six players selected in the NFL Draft. Check out the six LSU Tigers that were selected in the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 2, Pick 41: BJ Ojulari, Defensive End (Arizona Cardinals)

Former LSU EDGE BJ Ojulari (18) – John Korduner/Getty Images

BJ Ojulari was the first LSU Tiger to go off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft as he went 41st overall to the Arizona Cardinals. During his three-year career in Baton Rouge, Ojulari was a key defensive player. Ojulari appeared in 34 games with the Tigers and started in 24 of those games. The star defensive end is an outstanding pass rusher that has a nose for the football, and he possesses a quick first step that he can use to beat opposing offensive linemen.

He wrapped up his collegiate career with 129 career tackles, 25.0 tackles for loss (-132 yards), and 16.5 sacks (-116 yards). Ojulari earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week four times during his time at LSU. The Marietta, Georgia native is coming off a sensational 2022 campaign where he was selected to the First Team All-SEC for his performance on the field. During the 2022 season, Ojulari finished with 58 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hurries.

Round 4, Pick 108: Anthony Bradford, Offensive Guard (Seattle Seahawks)

Former LSU OG Anthony Bradford (75) – Parker Waters/Crescent City Sports

Anthony Bradford would be the next Tigers selected in this year’s draft as the Seattle Seahawks selected him with the 108th overall pick. Bradford is a versatile offensive lineman that is capable of playing multiple positions on the offensive front. During his 29-game career with LSU, Bradford started in 17 games during his four years in Baton Rouge. His natural strength will be able to take him far at the next level, and he is an anchor in pass protection.

Bradford would see limited action during the first two seasons of his collegiate career, but he would begin to elevate his playing time heading into the 2021 season. In 2021, Bradford started in five games for LSU. He would see action at both right guard and left tackle during the 2021 season. The Muskegon, Michigan native wrapped up his time at LSU in 2022 as he played a total of 899 offensive snaps and was only called for two penalties on the year.

Round 4, Pick 134: Jay Ward, Defensive Back (Minnesota Vikings)

Former LSU DB Jay Ward (5) – Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images

Jay Ward was the second LSU player taken off the board in the fourth round as the Minnesota Vikings selected the veteran defensive back with the 134th overall pick in the NFL Draft. Ward showed his versatility during his collegiate career as he played at safety, cornerback, and nickel back. He has been the leader of the LSU defense and does a good job of closing from a distance to make plays. Ward is set to join forces with a former defensive coordinator at LSU, Daronte Jones, in Minnesota.

The Moultrie, Georgia native was outstanding during his four-year career at LSU. He would have a breakout season during his junior year in 2021 as he finished the season with 71 tackles and led the Tigers with a pair of interceptions. Ward would be able to continue that momentum heading into the 2022 season. During the 2022 season, Ward finished the year with 60 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and a fumble recovery. He would earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance against Mississippi State, where he had a career-high 11 tackles.

Round 5, Pick 141: Jaquelin Roy, Defensive Tackle (Minnesota Vikings)

Former LSU DT Jaquelin Roy (99) – LSU Athletics

The Minnesota Vikings continued to zone in on the LSU Tigers as they selected Jaquelin Roy with the 141st overall pick in the draft. Roy will now join several former Tigers on the Vikings roster and will have an opportunity to be an immediate threat in the NFC North. He would quickly emerge into a defensive line stand-out for the Tigers late in his collegiate career. Roy has shown that he has the ability to play well against zone run plays and is able to use his athleticism to close the gaps.

During his three-year career in Baton Rouge, Roy recorded 97 career tackles to go with 13.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. In 2022, Roy was a starter for the defensive line for 12 games with the Tigers. The Baton Rouge native would have his best season at LSU as he posted 49 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. His best game of the season would come against Texas A&M, where he would have a career-high 12 tackles.

Round 6, Pick 187: Kayshon Boutte, Wide Receiver (New England Patriots)

Former LSU WR Kayshon Boutte (7) – Josh Auzenne/WAFB

Kayshon Boutte would be the next LSU Tiger taken off the board in round six as the New England Patriots selected the wide receiver with the 187th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Boutte spent three years with the Tigers as he capped his career with 131 receptions for 1,782 yards and 16 touchdowns. There is some concern surrounding Boutte as there has been a lack of production, but he has shown that he can be an outstanding player when he has the ball in his hands.

Everyone will point at Boutte’s freshman season in Baton Rouge when he showed that he was capable of being one of the best wideouts in college football. He was able to continue that momentum heading into his second year at LSU, but his season would be cut short as he suffered an ankle injury against Kentucky. Boutte had a lot of expectations heading into the 2022 season as he was named a First Team All-American. During the 2022 season, Boutte finished the year with 48 receptions and 538 receiving yards.

Round 6, Pick 204: Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Cornerback (New York Jets)

Former LSU CB Jarrick Bernard-Converse (24) – David Rosenblum/Getty Images

Jarrick Bernard-Converse would be the final LSU player taken off the board in this year’s draft as the New York Jets selected him with the 204th overall pick in the draft. Bernard-Converse was a four-year starter at Oklahoma State before transferring to LSU prior to the start of the 2022 season. He is a versatile player on the defensive side of the ball, as he is capable of playing at cornerback and safety. During his time at Oklahoma State, Bernard-Converse racked up 216 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks.

Bernard-Converse has good awareness when he steps on the field, and he is able to track the ball well when it’s in flight. In his lone year with the Tigers, Bernard-Converse was a difference-maker in the secondary. During the 2022 season, Bernard-Converse finished with 44 tackles, five passes defended, and a pair of interceptions. He would have a career-high with 11 tackles against Tennessee and would make a game-changing interception against Alabama.