Joseph Ossai Signs Rookie Deal With Bengals

CINCINNATI, OH — Former Oak Ridge standout and Texas All-American edge rusher Joseph Ossai has signed his rookie contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, the team announced on its website Wednesday.

Ossai was the first Oak Ridge alumnus drafted into the NFL when he was selected in the third round with the 69th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft in early May. Drafted rookies receive four-year contracts with a team fifth-year option for first-rounders, but the Bengals did not reveal the exact terms of Ossai's deal.

Ossai had a consensus All-America junior season at Texas in 2020, racking up 55 tackles, including 16 tackles for loss, and he added five sacks and three forced fumbles in just nine games.

In his senior season at Oak Ridge, Ossai earned honorable mention on the TSWA Class 6A All-State Team, was named a defensive player of the year finalist by the Touchdown Club of Houston and earned a spot on the Houston Chronicle's All-Greater Houston first team. He made 104 tackles with 25 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks during the 2016-17 seasons, according to 247Sports.com.

Bengals first-round pick Ja'Marr Chase, a receiver from LSU, also signed his rookie contract. With Ossai and Chase signed, the Bengals have agreed to contracts with all of their 2021 draft picks.

Chase's contract is a four-year, $30.8 million deal, which includes a $19.7 million signing bonus, according to the professional sports salary cap website Spotrac.