Texas Football: 5 big recruits the Longhorns landed over Jimbo Fisher

Joseph Ossai, Edge Rusher

Another early entrant to the 2021 NFL Draft out of the Texas program is the former star junior outside linebacker/edge rusher Joseph Ossai. After getting picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2021 draft, Ossai became the second Longhorn off the board. And there was a point in time where it looked like Ossai had a legitimate shot to be a day one selection.

Ossai definitely surpassed some lofty expectations he had as a four-star weak-side defensive end recruit that was a product of Oak Ridge High School in the Longhorns 2018 class. The 6-foot-4 and 255 pound Conroe, TX, native became a stud during his three years playing for Texas. And he deserved the massive boost in his draft stock he got last season.

Back during his recruitment in the 2018 cycle, Texas and Texas A&M were two of more than 25 schools that sent offers Ossai’s way. The Lone Star Showdown rivals were also two of the final four schools that Ossai whittled his commitment decision down to.

Coming out of Oak Ridge, Ossai ranked as the nation’s No. 186 2018 high school prospect, No. 11 weak-side defensive end, and No. 20 prospect out of Texas (247Sports Composite). And the Top247 ranked him as the nation’s No. 191 high school prospect, No. 12 weak-side defensive end, and No. 18 prospect out of Texas.

During his three years playing for Texas, Ossai registered 165 career combined tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two interceptions, three pass breakups, five forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.