Otito Ogbonnia was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of 2022 after playing college football at UCLA. His early pro career was disrupted by injuries, including a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee that ended his rookie season, missing the first half of his second season, and an elbow injury that sidelined him for six games last year. In 2024, he stayed healthy and started all 17 games, recording 37 tackles. His performance shifted him from a developmental depth option to a consistent interior presence on the defensive line. The Cowboys signed him in March to a one-year contract worth $2.75 million.
"Initially selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, Ogbonnia's transition from college to the pros was a piece of cake, at least geographically. The Chargers' headquarters was just a hop, skip, and a jump from UCLA, where he spent his four years of college. While his travel was made easy, getting himself on the turf on Sundays was a different story. Midway through his rookie season, he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee and would be lost for the year."
"The recovery time caused him to miss the first half of his second season, leaving little to see early in his career. And last year, he suffered an elbow injury that forced him out of action for six games. It's been a rocky start for this Bruin big boy."
"In 2024, he looked like a legit force. He was finally healthy, starting all 17 games and logging 37 tackles. He effectively transformed from a developmental depth piece into a certified fixture along the interior of the defensive line. It wasn't a large sample, but it was enough for the Cowboys to be interested in him, signing the 25-year-old to a one-year $2.75 million deal in March."
Read at Blogging The Boys
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