A 2021 third-round draft pick of the Bengals, Ossai has played in 30 career regular-season games and totaled 27 tackles with 4.5 sacks ... He suffered a season-ending knee injury in preseason of his rookie year, but returned to play in every game in 2022 (including postseason) ... Serves as a rotational DE and contributed notable plays in the 2022 campaign, including the team's only defensive TD of the year on a FR in the regular-season finale vs. Baltimore ... Chose to forgo final season of college eligibility to enter 2021 NFL Draft, after spending three years ('18-20) at the University of Texas ... Born in Nigeria (Ketu Ijanikin, Lagos); his family moved to the United States when he was 10 ... First saw game of football at age 10, after arriving in U.S.
Selected by Cincinnati in third round of 2021 NFL Draft (69th overall) ... Signed with Bengals on 6-2-21.
2021—Did not play as a rookie, after suffering left knee injury in preseason opener at Tampa Bay ... Placed Aug. 31 on Reserve/Injured, where he spent entire regular season and postseason.
2022—Played in all 16 regular-season games and three postseason games for Cincinnati ... Totaled 17 tackles (six solos), with 3.5 sacks, one PD, and two FRs during regular season ... Made NFL debut on Sept. 11 against Pittsburgh ... Logged first career sack on Oct. 23 vs. Atlanta, bringing down QB Marcus Mariota for loss of eight yards on third down to force a Falcons punt in fourth quarter ... On Dec. 4 against Kansas City, sacked Patrick Mahomes for four-yard loss on third down with 4:09 remaining in fourth quarter; play led to missed FG and allowed Bengals' offense to drain remainder of the clock ... On Dec. 18 at Tampa Bay, recovered a fumble at Buccaneers' 13-yard line in third quarter, leading to Bengals TD five plays later ... Scored Cincinnati's first defensive TD of the season on Jan. 8 vs. Baltimore, recovering a fumble (forced by DE Trey Hendrickson) in Ravens' end zone in final minute of first half ... Had six tackles (one for loss) and a PD in postseason ... Tallied five tackles in AFC Championship at Kansas City.
2023—Played in 14 games ... Inactive for first two regular-season contests due to ankle injury sustained in preseason finale ... Recorded 10 tackles (six solos), with one sack, one TFL and one PD ... Made season debut on Sept. 25 vs. L.A. Rams and played five defensive snaps ... Logged lone sack on Dec. 4 at Jacksonville, bringing down QB C.J. Beathard at line of scrimmage late in fourth quarter ... On Dec. 16 vs. Minnesota, was credited with tackle on third-and-one from Cincinnati 42-yard line in overtime that held Vikings to no gain ... Tallied three tackles with a TFL on Jan. 7 vs. Cleveland.
Spent three seasons (2018-20) at Texas, and chose to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter '21 NFL Draft ... Played in 36 games, totaling 165 tackles, 30.5 TFLs, 11 sacks, two INTs, five PDs, five FFs, a FR and a blocked PAT ... As a junior in 2020, his 16 TFLs led the Big 12 and ranked No. 3 nationally.
Hometown is Ketu Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria ... Moved to the United States at age 10, and was raised in Conroe, Texas (outside Houston) ... Attended Oak Ridge High School in Conroe, Texas (outside Houston) ... As a senior, posted 58 tackles, eight sacks and three FFs ... Attended Conroe High School as a freshman, and played safety ... Also competed in basketball and track and field ... Last name is pronounced "o-SIGH."
