A 2021 third-round Bengals draft pick, Ossai has showcased athletic potential while serving as a rotational DE through three full seasons ... He missed his rookie season in 2021 due to a knee injury, but has since played in 50 games with three starts (including postseason) ... Has totaled 73 tackles, seven TFLs, 9.5 sacks, three PDs, two FFs and two FRs ... Started each of the final three games of the 2024 season at LDE, and registered a combined five sacks over the last seven contests ... Spent three seasons (2018-20) at the University of Texas, then chose to forgo final year of eligibility to enter '21 NFL Draft ... Born in Nigeria (Ketu Ijanikin, Lagos), and moved to the United States with his family at age 10; saw first football game that year.
Selected by Cincinnati in third round of 2021 NFL Draft (69th overall) ... Signed with Bengals on 6-2-21 ... Bengals contract expired on 3-11-25; became unrestricted free agent ... Re-signed with Bengals as unrestricted free agent on 3-14-25.
2021—Did not play as a rookie, after suffering left knee injury in preseason opener at Tampa Bay ... Spent entire regular season and postseason on Reserve/Injured list.
2022—Played in all 16 regular-season games and three postseason games ... Totaled 17 tackles (six solos), 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 eight-yard loss in fourth quarter ... On Dec. 4 against Kansas City, sacked QB Patrick Mahomes 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 games due to ankle injury ... Active/DNP in Game 11 vs. Pittsburgh ... Recorded 10 tackles (six solos), one sack and one PD ... Played five defensive snaps in season debut on Sept. 25 vs. L.A. Rams ... Notched first sack of season on Dec. 4 at Jacksonville, bringing down QB C.J. Beathard 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.
2024—Played in all 17 games, starting each of final three contests at LDE ... Totaled career-high 46 tackles (26 solos), four TFLs, five sacks, one PD and two FFs ... Registered first sack of season on Nov. 17 at L.A. Chargers, taking down QB Justin Herbert for 12-yard loss to force punt in third quarter ... Had a sack in second straight game on Dec. 1 vs. Pittsburgh, and blocked a Steelers FG attempt in third quarter to keep it a one-score deficit ... Recorded sack in third straight game on Dec. 9 at Dallas, dropping QB Cooper Rush on third down to force punt late in first half ... Sacked QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson for loss of six yards on Dec. 22 vs. Cleveland, and forced a fumble in fourth quarter (recovered by Browns) ... Had another FF late in first half on Dec. 28 vs. Denver (recovered by Broncos), and finished with career-high eight tackles.
Spent three seasons (2018-20) at Texas, and chose to forgo 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 ... Led Big 12 Conference with 16 TFLs as a junior in 2020.
Hometown is Ketu Ijanikin, Lagos, Nigeria ... Moved to United States at age 10, and was raised in Conroe, Texas (outside Houston) ... Attended Oak Ridge High School in Conroe ... 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."
