Otito Ogbonnia Bio
Otito Ogbonnia is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 25, 2000, in Houston, Texas, he played college football for the UCLA Bruins before being selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Ogbonnia has competed in the NFL despite dealing with injuries throughout his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Ogbonnia attended James E. Taylor High School in Katy, Texas, where he excelled in multiple sports. On the football field, he was a two-time all-district selection, recording 68 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two forced fumbles as a senior. His athletic ability extended beyond football, as he also competed in track and field. As a senior, Ogbonnia won state titles in both the shot put and discus throw, establishing himself as the top-ranked shot putter in the class of 2017.
Path to Football
Ogbonnia’s exceptional athletic performance in high school earned him a scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he played for the Bruins from 2018 to 2021. His collegiate career was notable not only for football but also for track and field accomplishments. He won gold medals in the shot put at the 2019 USATF U20 Outdoor Championships and the 2019 Pan American U20 Athletics Championships, demonstrating his elite-level athletic ability. In his final college season in 2021, Ogbonnia earned Second-team All-Pac-12 honors, solidifying his status as a prospective NFL player.
Otito Ogbonnia Career
Los Angeles Chargers Era (2022–2025)
Ogbonnia was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round with the 160th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. His rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 16, 2022, due to a ruptured patellar tendon. The following year, he began the 2023 season on the reserve/physically unable to perform list on August 29, 2023, before being activated on November 5.
In the 2025 season, Ogbonnia served as one of Los Angeles’ backup defensive linemen. He appeared in five games for the Chargers that season, recording three combined tackles. On October 21, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve due to an elbow injury sustained in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts. He was activated on December 8, ahead of the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas Cowboys (2026–Present)
On March 11, 2026, Ogbonnia signed a one-year contract worth $3 million with the Dallas Cowboys, joining his new team for the 2026 season.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 6 feet 4 inches and 320 pounds, Ogbonnia brings size and strength to the defensive line position. His background as an elite track and field athlete, particularly in the shot put and discus, translated into functional power and explosive first-step quickness on the football field. His experience as both a run defender and pass rusher provides versatility along the defensive front.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ogbonnia’s professional career has been marked by resilience through injuries, including his ruptured patellar tendon in 2022 and elbow injury in 2025. His collegiate track and field success, including international gold medals, represents a unique dual-sport athletic background that set him apart entering the NFL.
Otito Ogbonnia Career Statistics
Through the 2025 NFL season, Ogbonnia has appeared in limited regular-season games due to injury setbacks. His career statistics reflect his role as a rotational defensive lineman.
NFL Statistics
In his NFL career through 2025, Ogbonnia has recorded 82 total tackles and 0.5 sacks across his appearances with the Chargers. His limited production reflects both his backup role and time spent on injured reserve during his first four professional seasons.
| Season | Team | Games | Total Tackles | Sacks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Los Angeles Chargers | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Los Angeles Chargers | — | — | — |
| 2025 | Los Angeles Chargers | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Career | — | — | 82 | 0.5 |
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a challenging year for Ogbonnia with the Los Angeles Chargers. He began the season as one of the team’s backup defensive linemen, seeing limited playing time in the early weeks. In five appearances, he recorded three combined tackles before suffering an elbow injury in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Following the injury, Ogbonnia was placed on injured reserve on October 21, 2025, sidelining him for several weeks. He was activated from injured reserve on December 8, returning to action ahead of the Week 14 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The season highlighted both his resilience in recovering from injury and the challenges of earning consistent playing time on an NFL roster.