With The First Pick
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Potential first round pick Joseph Ossai off to 2021 NFL Draft

By Cory Kinnan

Sep 14, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) attempts to make a tackle as Rice Owls running back Nahshon Ellerbe (9) runs with the ball during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 14, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai (46) attempts to make a tackle as Rice Owls running back Nahshon Ellerbe (9) runs with the ball during the second quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Joseph Ossai
Joseph Ossai. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Another potential first rounder in Joseph Ossai is gone

The Texas Longhorns made the announcement that continuity at the head coaching position will remain as Tom Herman has the new Athletic Director’s vote of confidence. However, they have another captain opt out of the bowl game as perhaps their best player in pass rusher Joseph Ossai is off to the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 6-foot-4 and 263 pound edge rusher put himself on the map last season, and now is in play to be a first round pick this upcoming April. When discussing his decision, Ossai stated:

"“As a kid, I dreamt of playing at Texas and going on to play in the NFL. I feel the time is now right, and even though it is bittersweet I am excited to face this new challenge” (Ossai via Jeff Howe)."

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Looking at Ossai’s 2020 season

Ossai really came along for the Longhorns last year as he racked up five sacks and a massive 13.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He even added two interceptions and forced a fumble as well. This year he has taken another step forward, racking up the box score in just nine games in Austin this year.

He has tallied 15.5 tackles for loss and five and a half sacks, forcing three fumbles off the edge as well for the Longhorns in 2020. This type of production has not gone unnoticed, and his play on tape matches his  stat sheet as well.

2021 NFL Draft outlook of Joseph Ossai

There is a large chance Ossai hears his name called in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and at minimum it is highly unlikely he falls out of the top-50 this April. He has shown how explosive of a weapon off the edge he is, and with his natural bend teams will fall in love with him.

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He is currently a top-three edge rusher for this writer, behind only Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari and Michigan’s Kwity Paye. Look for Ossai to continue to catch the eye of NFL teams as he will got to the NFL Scouting Combine and make scouts and general managers swoon over him even more.

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