Azizi Hearn Bio
Azizi Hearn is an American professional football cornerback currently playing for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). Born on June 5, 1999, in Oceanside, California, Hearn played college football at three universities: the Arizona Wildcats, Wyoming Cowboys, and UCLA Bruins. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has since developed his career across multiple professional teams while establishing himself as a coverage specialist with strong ball skills.
Early Life and Background
Azizi Hearn grew up in Oceanside, California, where he attended Oceanside High School. During his high school career, Hearn developed into a promising defensive back prospect. He was rated a three-star recruit by recruiting services, demonstrating solid athleticism and football IQ that attracted attention from college programs. His performance at Oceanside High School laid the foundation for his transition to the collegiate level.
After completing high school, Hearn received limited scholarship offers and made the decision to walk on at the University of Arizona. This choice reflected his determination to prove himself at the college level despite not receiving major recruiting attention. His journey through multiple college programs would ultimately shape him into a durable and versatile defensive player capable of contributing at the professional level.
Path to American Football
Hearn began his collegiate career at the University of Arizona in 2017. He redshirted during his true freshman season, using that year to adapt to the speed and physical demands of college football while learning the Wildcats defensive system. The redshirt year allowed him to develop his technique and understanding of the cornerback position at the major college level.
During the 2018 season, Hearn saw significant playing time, appearing in all 12 games and earning starts in the final three games of the season at cornerback. He recorded 26 tackles including 20 solo stops and six assists, along with 1.0 tackle for a loss and a fumble recovery that he returned 34 yards for a touchdown. His performance during the 2018 season demonstrated his ability to make plays on the ball and contribute to the defensive effort.
Following the 2018 season, Hearn was removed from Arizona’s roster and transferred to the University of Wyoming. This move to the Mountain West Conference represented a fresh start and an opportunity to continue his football career at a program known for developing defensive players. His transition to Wyoming would prove pivotal in his development as a collegiate player.
Azizi Hearn Career
Wyoming Cowboys Years (2019–2021)
Upon arriving at Wyoming, Hearn immediately earned a significant role in the Cowboys defense. During the 2019 season, he played in all 13 games and started 10 of them. He finished the season with 37 total tackles, including 26 solo stops and 11 assisted tackles, along with one tackle for loss and four pass breakups. His versatility and consistency earned him a starting role that would continue throughout his time at Wyoming.
The 2020 season presented challenges as Hearn appeared in and started six games due to schedule modifications related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the limited action, he recorded 13 tackles with nine solo stops and four assisted tackles, along with four pass breakups. His ability to force incompletions demonstrated his coverage instincts and timing at the cornerback position.
During the 2021 season, Hearn reached peak performance, playing in and starting all 13 games for the Cowboys. He recorded 30 tackles with 22 solo stops and eight assisted tackles, along with five pass breakups. His 13-game participation over three seasons at Wyoming showcased his durability and reliability as a starting cornerback in a competitive conference.
Following the 2021 season, Hearn entered the NCAA transfer portal and announced his decision to transfer to UCLA. This move to the Pac-12 Conference represented a significant step up in competition level and an opportunity to prove himself against some of the top offensive talent in college football.
UCLA Bruins Season (2022)
Hearn joined the UCLA Bruins for his final collegiate season in 2022. He adapted quickly to the Bruins defensive scheme and earned significant playing time throughout the season. He appeared in all 13 games and started six of them, demonstrating his ability to compete at the Power Five level.
During the 2022 season, Hearn recorded 40 tackles with 26 solo stops and 14 assisted tackles, along with seven pass breakups. The seven pass breakups represented the highest single-season total of his collegiate career, highlighting his growth as a coverage defender capable of disrupting passes at the catch point. Over his four collegiate seasons across three programs, Hearn accumulated 146 total tackles and 20 career pass breakups, establishing himself as a durable and productive defensive back.
Las Vegas Raiders (2023)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hearn signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 12, 2023. The signing represented an opportunity to continue his professional development with an established NFL franchise. Hearn participated in the Raiders offseason program and training camp as he competed for a roster spot.
However, Hearn was released by the Raiders on August 29, 2023, as part of the team’s final roster reductions. The release ended his initial stint in the NFL but did not mark the end of his professional football journey. Following his release, Hearn continued to work toward earning another opportunity at the professional level.
New England Patriots (2023–2024)
On September 21, 2023, Hearn was signed to the New England Patriots practice squad. The move provided him with an opportunity to develop within an NFL organization while continuing to refine his skills at the cornerback position. Joining the Patriots practice squad allowed him to learn from experienced coaches and players within the franchise.
Hearn’s performance during the 2023 season earned him a reserve/future contract, which he signed on January 8, 2024. The contract indicated the Patriots’ interest in retaining him for the following season. However, Hearn was released by the Patriots on August 26, 2024, as part of the team’s final roster cuts. His time with the Patriots demonstrated his ability to develop within an NFL system and positioned him for future opportunities.
Carolina Panthers (2024)
On September 10, 2024, Hearn was signed to the Carolina Panthers practice squad. The addition provided the Panthers with depth at the cornerback position as the 2024 season progressed. Hearn contributed to the Panthers defensive back room during his time on the practice squad. He was released by the Panthers on October 1, 2024, ending his brief tenure with the organization.
New York Giants (2024)
On December 10, 2024, Hearn was signed to the New York Giants practice squad. The late-season addition gave him an opportunity to join a team competing in the playoff hunt. Hearn spent the remainder of the 2024 season with the Giants, continuing to develop his craft and prepare for future opportunities.
Kansas City Chiefs (2025)
On August 1, 2025, Hearn signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Joining the Chiefs provided Hearn with an opportunity to compete for a roster spot on one of the NFL’s premier teams. He participated in training camp and the preseason as he worked to earn a place on the Chiefs roster. However, Hearn was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of the team’s final roster cuts, ending his time with the organization.
DC Defenders (2026–Present)
Following his time with the Chiefs, Hearn began the next chapter of his professional career. On January 14, 2026, he was selected by the DC Defenders in the United Football League draft. Joining the UFL provides Hearn with an opportunity to continue playing professional football while showcasing his abilities in a competitive spring league. The selection by the Defenders marks a new phase in his career as he looks to establish himself as a starting cornerback in professional football.
Playing Style and Strengths
Hearn is known for his smooth footwork and fluid hips, which allow him to transition quickly when mirroring receivers in coverage. His ability to change direction enables him to stay competitive in both man and zone coverage schemes. At 6 feet tall and 204 pounds, he possesses the size to match up against larger receivers while maintaining the agility to handle quicker opponents. His ball skills, demonstrated by his 20 career pass breakups in college, indicate his ability to make plays on the ball at the catch point and create turnovers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his collegiate and professional career, Hearn has demonstrated remarkable durability, appearing in 51 consecutive games across his time at Wyoming and UCLA. His journey from a three-star walk-on at Arizona to a professional player with multiple NFL organizations exemplifies his persistence and work ethic. The fumble recovery for a touchdown during his freshman season at Arizona remains one of the highlights of his career, showcasing his ability to make explosive plays on the defensive side of the ball.
Azizi Hearn Career Statistics
Across four collegiate seasons at three different programs, Hearn established himself as a reliable and productive cornerback. His ability to earn starting roles at each school demonstrates his competitiveness and skill development throughout his college career.
Collegiate Statistics Highlights
Hearn’s collegiate career spanned four seasons and three programs, with a combined total of 146 tackles and 20 pass breakups. His most productive statistical season came at UCLA in 2022, where he recorded seven pass breakups in just six starts. At Wyoming, he appeared in 32 games with 29 starts over three seasons, demonstrating his reliability as a full-time starter. His progression across his collegiate career, from a redshirt freshman to a Pac-12 contributor, reflects his development as a coverage defender.
Professional Career Timeline
Since entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2023, Hearn has developed his professional career across multiple organizations. His journey has taken him through the Las Vegas Raiders, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs at the NFL level, with his most recent addition being the DC Defenders of the UFL. This breadth of experience across different organizations and leagues has provided him with diverse football knowledge and continued development opportunities.
Azizi Hearn Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Public information regarding Azizi Hearn’s family background and any football lineage is not extensively documented in available sources. He grew up in Oceanside, California, and attended Oceanside High School, where his football journey began. Further details about his family members and their potential involvement in athletics are not publicly available at this time.
Personal Life
Azizi Hearn maintains an active presence on social media, where he connects with fans and shares updates about his football career. He can be found on X, formerly known as Twitter, under the handle @realazizihearn. Hearn’s professional journey reflects his commitment to pursuing a career in football, having dedicated himself to the sport since his high school days in Oceanside, California.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked another transitional year for Hearn as he joined the Kansas City Chiefs during the offseason. Signing with the Chiefs in August 2025 represented an opportunity to compete for a roster spot on a team known for its strong defensive tradition. Hearn participated fully in training camp activities and the preseason schedule as he worked to earn a place on the Chiefs 53-man roster.
Throughout the preseason, Hearn had the opportunity to showcase his coverage abilities against some of the league’s top offensive weapons. His performance in practice and during exhibition games demonstrated his continued development as a professional cornerback. The competition for roster spots within the Chiefs defensive back room pushed him to elevate his game during training camp.
Despite his efforts, Hearn was ultimately waived on August 26, 2025, as part of the Chiefs final roster reductions. The release ended his time with the organization but did not diminish his value as a professional football player. Following his release, Hearn remained committed to continuing his football career, which led to his selection by the DC Defenders in January 2026. The move to the UFL provides him with an opportunity to play meaningful football while remaining on the radar of NFL scouts and executives.