[jwplayer SgTjRJWO]
Texas linebacker Joseph Ossai continues to receive praise after an impressive junior season.
In just nine games, Ossai compiled 15.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He was Texas’ primary pass rusher at the Jack position under defensive coordinator Chris Ash’s new scheme.
Less than a week ago, Ossai was named to USA TODAY Sports All-America team and ESPN’s college football All-America team. On Monday, Texas announced that Ossai was named an AP First Team All-American.
Joseph Ossai named AP First Team All-American 🤘 pic.twitter.com/jyD7t8cdhF
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 28, 2020
After the Longhorns were eliminated from Big 12 title contention, Ossai announced that he would forgo the remainder of the 2020 season to prepare for the NFL Draft.
According to Kyle Crabbs of the Draft Network, Ossai could realistically be selected within the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In Crabb’s latest mock draft, Ossai was taken off of the board at No. 24 overall to the Baltimore Ravens.
“Baltimore figures to be facing a transition period for their pass rush room. The team welcomed Yannick Ngakoue via trade during the season and has OLB Matt Judon playing this season on the franchise tag—meaning both are due new contracts this offseason. Judon has come crashing back to Earth this season after a strong 2019 campaign, which figures to prompt Baltimore to do what they always do: avoid overpaying and reload via the NFL draft. Ossai is a touch lighter than Judon but enters the league with a higher floor than Judon as a player and a more diverse pass-rush pallet. He pairs that with a motor that runs as hot as anyone’s; making this a home run fit for the Ravens.”