CJ Bazile, Jr.

Liberty Football Media Day on July 20th, 2023. (Photo by Cassidy Paxton).

Class:
Sophomore
Position:
DE
Height:
6-1
Weight:
250
Hometown:
Miami, Fla.

2025 (Sr.):

Phil Steele CUSA Preseason All-Conference First-Team
Athlon Sports CUSA Preseason All-Conference First-Team

2024 (Jr.):

Bronko Nagurski Trophy Award Preseason Watch List (Best Defensive Player)
Athlon Sports CUSA Preseason All-Conference First-Team
Phil Steele CUSA Preseason All-Conference First-Team
CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
CUSA Preseason Player Watch List
Conference USA All-Conference honorable mention
Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll member
Saw playing time in all 12 games
Started 11 contests
Finished the season with 54 tackles (17 solo, 37 assisted)
Ranked fourth on the team in total tackles (54)
Ranked second on the team in assisted tackles (37)
Also added 4.5 tackles for a loss (21 yards) and 2.0 sacks (15 yards)
Recorded a tackle for a loss in seven of 12 games
Had two pass breakups and one fumble recovery
PFF.com snap count: 567 (518 – defense; 49 – special team)
Ranked fourth on the team defensive snap count (518)
Six stops against New Mexico State, including five assisted tackles
Returned a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown against New Mexico State
Named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week after the New Mexico State game
Eight tackles against UTEP, including six assisted tackles
Six assisted stops against Kennesaw State
Finished the Jacksonville State game with a season-high 10 tackles, including four solo stops
Three tackles at Middle Tennessee, including a six-yard sack
Six assisted stops at UMass and a quarterback hurry
Five tackles against Sam Houston, including three solo tackles
Six stops against Buffalo in Liberty’s appearance in the Bahamas Bowl

2023 (So.):

Conference USA All-Conference honorable mention
Phil Steele Postseason Conference USA third team
VaSID All-State second team
Started all 14 games for the Flames at the Joker position
Finished the year with 49 tackles (20 solo, 29 assisted)
Led the Flames with 10.5 tackles for a loss (29 yards)
Ranked No. 5 in Conference USA in tackles for a loss
Also led Liberty with 3.0 sacks (12 yards)
Recorded a team-high 11 quarterback hurries
Finished eight of 14 games with at least one quarterback hurry
Two tackles and two quarterback hurries, including a two-yard TFL, against Bowling Green
Three stops, including an eight-yard sack, and a quarterback hurry against FIU
Four solo tackles against Sam Houston
Five tackles, including four assisted stops, against Jacksonville State
Four tackles, including two solo stops, against WKU
Recorded a season-high seven stops against Old Dominion, including 1.5 tackles for a loss
Two assisted tackles, two quarterback hurries and a blocked kick against UMass
Five tackles against UTEP, including 1.5 tackles for a loss
Five stops, including four solo tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss, against New Mexico State in the CUSA Football Championship game
Five stops against No. 8 Oregon in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, including three solo tackles, a tackle for a loss and two quarterback hurries

2022 (Fr.):

Saw playing time in seven games as a true freshman
Played in seven of the Flames’ final eight games of the season
Finished the season with seven tackles (three solo, four assisted)
Added 1.5 tackles for a loss (four yards)
Posted a season-high three stops in his first career game against UMass
Recorded a tackle for a loss of one yard against BYU
Added two assisted tackles during Liberty’s game against Toledo during the Boca Raton Bowl

Prep:

Graduated from Miramar High School in Miami, Fla.
Three-star recruit as ranked by 247Sports.com
Two-star recruit as ranked by Rivals.com
Also received offers from Army, Air Force, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, East Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Florida Atlantic, Kansas, Kent State and Navy
Set a school record with 21 sacks during his senior season
First-team All-County
First-team all-state

Personal:

Son of Betty and Claudel Bazile, Sr.
Business Administration major
Birthday is February 17

Student-Athlete Q&A
What made Liberty University the right place for you to attend college/compete at the collegiate level?
I really enjoy the people, the town, and the Coaches at Liberty.

Is there anything special you do pregame or postgame and why?
Praying before a game helps me mentally prepare to play.

Who in your life inspires you and why are they such an inspiration?
My parents inspire me.

What is your most memorable athletic moment/accomplishment?
Playing in the CUSA Championship.

If you picked your jersey/uniform number, why is that number important to you?
The greatness of the ones before me.

Favorite meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) and what is that special meal?
I like burgers.

What is the first app you check on your phone each day?
I open TikTok first.

What is your favorite hobby outside of athletics?
I like playing video games outside of football.

Do you have any current pets (name and type of animal)?
I have two pets, Bruno and Tank.

Who was your favorite athlete growing up?
Brian Dawkins.

What is your favorite possession and why?
My Bible is my favorite possession.

What is your dream vacation spot and why?
Heaven.