Cowboys DT Osa Odighizuwa on pace to set new career-high for sacks
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa started the 2023 regular season on a tear after notching three sacks through the first two games, pacing fellow 2021 draft classmate Micah Parsons.
Odighizuwa’s three sacks are just one shy of his single-season career-high of four, which he posted last season. The former UCLA Bruin opened up this week about his impressive start and what’s motivated him to take his game to the next level this season.
“If someone makes a play, you’re like, ‘I want a piece of that, too. Let me go make one,'” Odighizuwa said, via DallasCowboys.com. “It just gives you an extra piece of energy. This is energy-generated football. A guy makes a play and it sparks something in the rest of the defense.”
The increased threat of the 6-foot-2, 280-pound tackle in the middle of the defensive line has opposing offenses on their heels. The Cowboys defense, tied with the Commanders defense, leads the league in sacks with 10 through two games.
A three-time heavyweight champion in wrestling, Odighizuwa came into the league with elite hand skills but he’s only improved with the addition of boxing to his routine, and even pilates.
“I’ve learned the game and things are slowing down a little bit more,” Odighizuwa said. “I’m consistently working on my hands, and consistently finding little ways to keep my body right. I picked up Pilates last season, and I feel like it was really a game-changer.”
Parsons: ‘Osa’s coming for everything he wants’
As the third-round draft pick selected the day after Parsons, Odighizuwa’s always had the former Nittany Lions star rooting for him. Because of that, the edge rusher is not surprised by what he’s seen so far this season.
“Osa’s coming for everything he wants and deserves,” Parsons said. “He’s trying to make his statement and say, ‘Hey, I can be a premier [defensive tackle] as well.'”
Having already doubled his sack total from Year 1 to Year 2, Parsons believes Odighizuwa can do it again in Year 3. That would mean at least eight sacks this season.
“I think Osa’s doing a much better job of feeling the rush,” Parsons added. “I told him he has to stop anticipating what [he] wants to do. Just set your rushes up. Use your power.
“Use what God gifted you. Osa’s a big, strong and powerful dude. Show people [but also] finesse guys. Not everyone can be a finesse [player]. And once he shows people his power, and then starts incorporating finesse, he’s been having a lot of success. I think he can be an 8-10 sack guy.”
The third-year defender and the Cowboys return to play on Sunday afternoon against the Arizona Cardinals. Through two weeks, the Cardinals have given up three sacks – all against the Commanders.