Joseph Ossai

Joseph Ossai's Biography

Born on 12th April 2000 in Ketu Ijaniki, Lagos Nigeria, Joseph Ossai’s journey to the National Football League is nothing short of remarkable. Today, he is regarded as a proficient professional American football defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, but his humble beginnings have instilled in him an invincible resilience and work ethic.

The first decade of Ossai’s life was spent in Nigeria before his family relocated to Conroe, Texas. As he grew older, his dedication to football began to bloom. He attended Oak Ridge High School where he not only demonstrated exceptional skill in basketball but also as an all-district and academic honoree in the realm of football.

His senior year proved to be a turning point in his career as he recorded remarkable stats of 58 tackles, eight sacks, 15 tackles for loss and an impressive three forced fumbles. This led to him being named first-team All-District 12-6A and first-team All-Greater Houston by the Houston Chronicle. He was also a rated a four-star recruit and attracted significant attention from Texas A&M, Notre Dame, and Oregon. However, he decided to commit to the Texas Longhorns for his college journey.

During his tenure with the Longhorns, Ossai played in 36 games and made 24 starts. His performances were highly lauded, earning him consensus All-America honors in 2020. Likewise, the Associated Press, Football Writers Association of America, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation recognized him as part of the first team. He also bagged second-team honors from the American Football Coaches Association and Sporting News.

Ossai was also a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and a semi-finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award in 2020. While still in college, he received honorable mentions as the Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year. His consistent prolific performances led him to forego the 2020 Alamo Bowl and his senior season to go pro.

During his freshman year at college, Ossai had two starts in the 14 Longhorns’ games, recording 20 total tackles with one sack and a forced fumble. When he hit his sophomore year, he led the team with 62 tackles, adding five sacks, two interceptions, a pass break, a forced fumble, and a blocked kick to his tally. For his outstanding performance, he was named the 2019 Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP and also made the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

The vigilance and fortitude that burgeoned within Ossai were integral in shaping his junior year. He was named to watchlists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, and Lott Impact Trophy. That year, he garnered 55 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks, leading to his selection as a first-team All Big-12 and an All-American.

After substantial contemplation and consideration of his prospective career trajectory, Ossai announced his decision to enter the 2021 NFL Draft, leaving behind Texas’ 2020 Bowl game and his senior season.

Pursuing what he had in mind, Ossai was drafted in the third round as the 69th pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2021 NFL Draft. Not long after, he signed his four-year rookie contract. His initial season ended ingloriously with a meniscus injury that put him on injured reserve.

In 2022, he recovered from his injury and duly earned a spot as the backup right defensive end, playing behind veteran player Trey Hendrickson. He made his NFL debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Bengals’ 2022 regular season opener. Later, in a match against the Baltimore Ravens, he epitomized his flexibility by recovering a fumble for a touchdown contributing to a 27–16 victory.

His impressive performances continued with appearances in 16 regular season games where he reconnoitered 3.5 sacks, 17 total tackles, one pass defended, and two fumble recoveries. However, the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs saw Ossai committing an unnecessary roughness penalty leading to a 15-yard penalty and a closer field goal attempt that consequently ended their Super Bowl journey.

The subsequent year in 2023 saw Ossai once again in his role as a backup defensive end, right behind Hendrickson. He recorded his first sack of the season in Week 13 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, reiterating his commitment, determination, and undeniable talent on the football field. Truly, Joseph Ossai’s hard-won victories, setbacks, and growth have forged a legacy that keeps on resonating in the world of American football.