Latest news with #OsaOdighizuwa
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dallas Cowboys Rookie Impressing Early during OTAs
Dallas Cowboys Rookie Impressing Early during OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys selected UCLA defensive tackle Jay Toia with pick No. 217 in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. ... and wouldn't it be nice is he could work out as well as the last Bruin to the 'Boys? Advertisement The last UCLA defensive tackle drafted by the Cowboys was Osa Odighizuwa and that has worked out beautifully. Toia is a former rugby player who doesn't shy away from physicality. The 6-2, 341-pound Inglewood native fills an immediate need for the Cowboys as a run-stopping defensive tackle. Maybe as a backup. Maybe as something more. On Thursday at voluntary OTAs, Toia received first-team reps with the team's starters. Healthy competition is vital to a team's success to make sure players are constantly pushing each other and looking to get better. ... and maybe that's all this is. Or maybe this signifies a major change - and an admission that Dallas' major roster flaw ... run-stopping ... merits real and new answers. Advertisement The Cowboys drafted defensive tackle Mazi Smith with their first-round pick back in 2022. The former Michigan star began to show signs of growth last season, but Dallas needs more. ... and inserting Toia in the mix will - if this works out - give the Cowboys an intriguing pair of 1-technique defensive tackles. According to Pro Football Focus, Toia had his best collegiate season in 2024—posting a 69 overall grade. The trust Toia has earned from the coaching staff early in their offseason program is a positive sign. If he continues to impress, that trust could lead to reps on the field during the regular season. A scouting view? Toia's ability to battle double-team blocks with a wide base will in theory help keep linebackers Kenneth Murray Jr., Jack Sanborn, and Marist Liufau free to play downhill and defend the run. Advertisement The development of Toia and his integration into defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' scheme will be an interesting storyline to follow throughout training camp as Toia could be an underrated contributor for the Cowboys defense. Related: Dallas' Schottenheimer Reveals Inspiration Behind 'Visor Vision' Related: Cowboys Stud Tyler Smith Poised to Break NFL Record This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Cutdown Rundown: Player Profiles for Jersey No. 99
Countdown to Cutdown Rundown: Player Profiles for Jersey No. 99 - 91 Throughout the 2025 offseason, Cowboys Wire will be running a series of player profiles on the members of the club's 90-man offseason roster. Well, 91-man roster, as the team has one of the NFL's International Pathway Program allotments that allows a franchise to carry an extra player who was born outside of the United States. These profiles will allow fans to have a general idea of a player's background, how they arrived in the league and how they ended up on the Dallas Cowboys' roster, along with the journey that will be ahead of them. For star players, these will look at their accomplishments and for players who are just trying to make either the 53-man roster of 16-man practice squad, it will be a brief look at the fight ahead of them. This piece will serve as a repository for each of those articles, as well as a link to each previous 10-number repository. No. 99: None No. 98: DE Payton Turner | Link No. 97: DT Osa Odighizuwa | Link No. 96: DT Justin Rogers | Link No. 95: DT Denzel Daxon | Link No. 94: DE Marshawn Kneeland | Link No. 93: DT Jay Toia | Link No. 92: None No. 91: DE Tyrus Wheat | Link Repositories 99 - 91 | 90 - 81 | 80 - 71 | 70 - 61 | 60 - 51 | 50 - 41 | 40 - 31 | 30 - 21 | 20 - 11 | 10 - 1 Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could this Cowboys 7th-round rookie supplant recent 1st rounder?
The Dallas Cowboys didn't stick to the proverbial script when it came to their 2025 draft class. The team had clear needs entering the weekend, but instead of trying to find the best available player at those key positions, Dallas simply took the best available player, needs be ignored. The team didn't take a wide receiver at all, waited until the fifth round to select a running back and the seventh round to select a nose tackle. That NT was UCLA's Jay Toia, an interesting pick to say the least. The Cowboys desperately need a man in the middle to line up next to their newly re-signed star three-technique Osa Odighizuwa; someone capable of commanding a double team and still producing. The question is whether or not Toia will be that guy, at all, much less in his rookie season. Dallas didn't throw any darts at the wall in free agency, and continued their trend of not throwing resources out the spot over the last decade outside of 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith. Toia will have a great chance to earn snaps as a rookie. Rundown Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia (93) during the second quarter against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images Position: Defensive Tackle Advertisement Age: 26 Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 342 pounds Hometown: Inglewood, CA High School: Grace Brethren (Simi Valley, CA) College: UCLA (Highlight Video) Draft: 2025, Sixth-round pick No. 217 Acquired: 2025 Draft Contract: Four-year deal (2025), $4.35 million includes signing bonus of $153K 2025 Base Salary: $840,000 | Cap Hit $878k Profile Nov 30, 2024; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Jay Toia (93) against the Fresno State Bulldogs at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-Imagn Images Toia is the annual flyer on a Day 3 nose tackle the Cowboys have become accustomed to. The hope, every year, is that they discover the next Jay Ratliff. Can Toia be that guy? He certainly has some enticing traits as he does have atypical movement for someone over 340 pounds. For evidence of whether or not he's doing his job well, look at how impressive the Bruins' linebacker corps looks. They were often clean, and Toia seems to be a heavy contributing factor there. Advertisement Dallas hasn't declared whether or not they'll retain Mazi Smith as their starting one-technique or try to use him in the role of backup three-technique. That will likely be the deciding factor in just how many snaps Toia could see this season, if he's able to latch onto the roster. Aside from those two, the cupboard is rather thin at NT with Justin Rogers and Denzel Daxon both being longshots of making the roster. By the time training camp ends, the Cowboys could perceivably have brought in a couple veterans to man the fort, but Toia will likely be in the team's plans in some capacity. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 93 Jay Toia
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys spent $80 million on centerpiece to new defensive front in 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have defined themselves over the last decade as a team that doesn't venture into the first wave of free agency. While teams around the league look to acquire the best talent hitting the market, the Cowboys instead choose to search for cost-conscious acquisitions so they aren't burned by spending a ton of money for players who have not proven themselves to those inside the building at The Star in Frisco. Dallas' big deals are reserved for players who have performed while wearing the star, and this offseason the man that fit the bill was interior defender Osa Odighizuwa. Odighizuwa is now entering his fifth season with the Cowboys. The former third-round pick has become a mainstay in the Cowboys' interior, as their only homegrown prospect at defensive tackle who has solidified himself among the league's best in the last decade. Dallas let Maliek Collins, a 2016 third-round pick, walk after his rookie contract expired, and after missing his presence in 2020, grabbed Odighizuwa as part of an 11-player draft class. The Cowboys didn't let Odighizuwa escape, signing him to a four-year extension right before he hit the open market, and at a significant hometown discount. Rundown Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) reacts to sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (not pictured) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Position: Defensive Tackle Advertisement Age: 27 (by Week 1) Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 280 pounds Hometown: Dayton, OH (born) | Oregon High School: David Douglas HS, Portland College: UCLA (Highlight Video) Draft: 2021, Third-round pick No. 75 Acquired: 2021 Draft Contract: Four-year deal (2025), $80 million includes signing bonus of $20 million 2025 Base Salary: $1.75 million (guaranteed) | $500k per-game roster bonuses (g'teed) | Cap Hit: $6.25M Career Earnings: $26.8 million (per Over The Cap) Profile Sep 24, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports Odighizuwa is the quintessential three-technique defensive tackle, lining up against either guard on a regular basis. He'll occasionally play defensive end, but those snaps are primarily in situations when Dallas goes into a three-man front. Although his sack totals don't scream elite, his pressure metrics do as he's consistently among the league's top interior players in getting into the backfield on passing plays. As a run defender, he does leave something to be desired. Advertisement The Cowboys have failed to augment Odighizuwa with another quality interior player, and as such the team continues to struggle along the defensive line despite teaming Agent OO97 with elite edge rusher Micah Parsons. Odighizuwa started 12 of 16 games as a rookie, and has started all 17 games in each of the last three seasons. He has 13.5 career sacks, including 4.5 in 2024 when he has 60 pressures, third-most of all defensive linemen. He'll be spelled this season by Solomon Thomas, a 2025 free-agent acquisition, and most likely flanked by Mazi Smith, their 2023 first-round pick out of Michigan. There isn't much in the cupboard at defensive tackle for the Cowboys, which has been the storyline of the last couple seasons and the reason Odighizuwa logged over 850 snaps in 2024. Dallas could still look to play the late free-agent market to bring in more depth as the offseason progresses. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans! This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dallas Cowboys player profile: No. 97 DT Osa Odighizuwa
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gridiron to Gala: Cowboys $80 million man shows up big for worthiest of causes
Gold gowns, sharp suits, and the kind of electricity that only happens when purpose meets celebration. The Odighizuwa Foundation's inaugural gala on Saturday night in Frisco, TX wasn't just another fancy event—it was a glimpse at what's possible when athletes pour into something bigger than themselves. And the foundation's founder himself, Osa Odighizuwa? His profession might be football, but his purpose runs deeper. At its core, the Odighizuwa Foundation exists to show up for single-parent families — providing resources, creating access, uplifting through education, and offering the kind of support that empowers both single parents and their children to thrive. Since its establishment, the organization has launched initiatives to assist with household needs, provide support groups and educational tools to parents, and offer mentorship and scholarships to children. They've hosted community events, helped secure essentials like Chromebooks and internet access, and remained rooted in the belief that resources and support can literally change lives. Advertisement Odighizuwa, who called the Foundation's mission 'deeply personal,' has become the face of the organization as its most high-profile founder. But on Saturday night, he made space to amplify the voices of community leaders whose stories illustrated the why behind the work. Debra Nixon-Bowles, Founder & CEO of Women Called Moses, gave a stirring testimony on how supporting single-parent families isn't just about mentorship and meals. It's about breaking cycles that often lead to homelessness, psychological distress, school dropouts, and incarceration. Keynote speaker Vita Flores, a financial literacy educator, spoke candidly about her own journey — how a desire to help her mother escape poverty led her down a path that ended with a federal prison sentence. Her story wasn't just powerfu; it was proof that transformation is possible with the right kind of support. Throughout the night, Odighizuwa moved through the room with gratitude and pride, shaking hands, giving hugs, and thanking guests who believe in the vision. Advertisement The guest list included several Dallas Cowboys notables, including tight ends coach Lunda Wells and quarterback Dak Prescott who, true to form, came through in the clutch during the live auction. When the bidding on one package needed a little extra push, a quiet conversation between Prescott and Odighizuwa led to a quick remix of the offer. The result? The Cowboys Experience item more than doubled in value. 'Dak was just helping me to get a little bit more,' Odighizuwa said. 'We were talking about the Cowboys package. It was a little bit modest. He said, 'You know we could double what we got going on and get a little bit more money.' He whispered that in my ear, and I relayed it to the auctioneer.' That display of teamwork happened during dinner, but other Cowboys stepped up in different ways to support the cause. Micah Parsons shared, via social media, that he made a donation to the Odighizuwa Foundation, and Odighizuwa commented that several teammates purchased tickets although they were unable to attend. Osa Odighizuwa has the respect of his peers and the heart of a man committed to more than stats and sacks. Saturday night wasn't just a win for his foundation. It was a statement. Advertisement Still, the work continues. The Odighizuwa Foundation is still working toward its annual fundraising goals and preparing for future events and initiatives. To donate, view upcoming auction items, or learn more about the organization, visit and follow @odighizuwafoundation on Instagram. This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys DT Osa Odighizuwa hosts local gala for important cause
