Joseph Ossai

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Joseph Ossai
No. 58 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (2000-04-13) April 13, 2000 (age 21)
Lagos, Nigeria
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:253 lb (115 kg)
Career information
High school:Oak Ridge (Conroe, Texas)
College:Texas (2018–2020)
NFL Draft:2021 / Round: 3 / Pick: 69
Career history
Roster status:Injured reserve
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2021
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Joseph Ossai (born April 13, 2000) is a Nigerian professional football defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas and was drafted by the Bengals in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Ossai was born in Lagos, the capital of Nigeria, and moved to the United States in 2010.

Early life and high school[]

Ossai was born in Lagos, Nigeria, lived there until his family moved to Conroe, Texas when he was 10.[1] He attended Oak Ridge High School, where he played basketball and football. As a senior, he recorded 58 tackles, eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles and was named first-team All-District 12-6A and first-team All-Greater Houston by the Houston Chronicle.[2] Ossai was rated a four-star recruit and committed to play college football at Texas over offers from Texas A&M, Notre Dame and Oregon.[3]

College career[]

As a true freshman, Ossai played in all 14 of the Longhorns' games with two starts and made 20 total tackles with one a sack and a forced fumble.[4][5][6] He led the team with 62 tackles in his sophomore season while also recording five sacks, two interceptions, one pass broken up, one forced fumble and also blocked a kick.[7] Ossai was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award and Lott IMPACT Trophy watchlists entering his junior season.[8] As a Junior, he had 55 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks.[9] On December 14, 2020, Ossai announced his decision to enter the 2021 NFL draft, choosing to forgo Texas' 2020 Bowl game and his senior season.[10]

Professional career[]

Ossai was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round (69th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.[11] He signed his four-year rookie contract on June 2, 2021.[12] Ossai suffered a meniscus injury in the second preseason game.[13] He was placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2021, ending his season.[14]

References[]

  1. ^ "Faith, family the deciding factors for new Texas commit Joseph Ossai". Austin American-Statesman. February 7, 2018. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  2. ^ "Lufkin welcomes 6-1 Oak Ridge to town for homecoming". The Lufkin Daily News. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  3. ^ Rapp, Timothy (February 7, 2018). "4-Star DE Joseph Ossai Commits to Texas over Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Oregon". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  4. ^ Kenyon, David (May 14, 2019). "1 Hidden Gem on Each Top 10 College Football Team in 2019". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  5. ^ Howe, Jeff (September 7, 2020). "Most Important Longhorns in 2020: Joseph Ossai". 247Sports.com. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  6. ^ "Texas spring football breakout candidates: The Longhorns could have their next star linebacker". The Dallas Morning News. March 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  7. ^ "Texas' next defensive star: Joseph Ossai". Houston Chronicle. May 9, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  8. ^ "Texas' Joseph Ossai looks like 'a fish in water' playing JACK". San Antonio Express-News. August 7, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  9. ^ "Bengals Get Defensive, Take Texas Edge Rusher Joseph Ossai in Third Round".
  10. ^ "Texas' Ossai to skip senior year, declare for draft". 14 December 2020.
  11. ^ Hobson, Geoff (April 30, 2021). "Bengals Go To The Edge with Texas' Joseph Ossai". Bengals.com. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  12. ^ Sheeran, John (2 June 2021). "Bengals sign Ja'Marr Chase, Joseph Ossai to rookie contracts". CincyJungle.com. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
  13. ^ DeArdo, Bryan. "Bengals rookie Joseph Ossai set to undergo possible season-ending knee surgery, per report Bengals rookie Joseph Ossai set to undergo possible season-ending knee surgery, per report". CBS Sports. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  14. ^ "Bengals Reduce 2021 Roster To 53 Players". Bengals.com. August 31, 2021.

External links[]

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