FRISCO, Texas — Life is coming at the Dallas Cowboys' defensive tackle depth chart fast and furiously, no Vin Diesel required. The team has completely revamped that portion of their roster over the past 12 months, and the latest moves include trading Osa Odighizuwa and Solomon Thomas, releasing Perrion Winfrey, and signing Otito Ogbonnia.
Ogbonnia joins the club on a one-year deal inked during the first week of NFL free agency, a UCLA product that lands in Dallas by way of the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that grabbed the former Second-team All-Pac-12 defensive tackle in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
But though he made his name as a Bruin, Ogbonnia is Texas through-and-through, a native of Houston who grew up cheering for the team he now suits up for.
"It's a dream come true," the 25-year-old told DallasCowboys.com. "I've been following the Cowboys for as long as I can [remember] — being a Houston native, it's a special place in my heart. I've always wanted to play for this team, so it's a really big deal for me."
He also made sure to double down that he was always a Cowboys fan.
"Always in a positive manner," he said. "I've always been a Cowboys fan, to be fair, so I know about that kind of hatred they get in Houston, but I wasn't a part of that crowd."
The crowd Ogbonnia will be a part of, however, is one headlined by All-Pro Quinnen Williams and Pro Bowler Kenny Clark.
"Both of those guys, I've been watching since college, so it's surreal to play with them, and to play with guys of that caliber and that type of leadership," Ogbonnia said of playing alongside Williams and Clark. "I'm excited to learn from them and get better."
Additionally, he'll be looked upon to help mentor fellow UCLA product Jay Toia, and to build chemistry with Adedayo Odeleye, who recently spent time with the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens before signing to the Cowboys' practice squad in 2025, and a futures deal in 2026.
As noted, the entire defensive tackles depth chart has been reworked, and as defensive coordinator Christian Parker begins to get his hands around how he wants the entire defense shaped, he'll look to Ogbonnia to bring plenty of gunpowder.
"The coaching staff is really excited," Ogbonnia said of his conversations with Parker and the coaching staff. "I'm excited for what we're gonna do here. I know what the Cowboys' state of their defense was last year. I've been a part of a situation like that. I know what it takes to get a defense rolling. Hearing from those guys and hearing what they have planned, I'm excited."
And what is it exactly that Parker and the Cowboys should be excited about when it comes to Ogbonnia?
Potentially plenty, as the 2019 gold medalist shot putter at the USATF U20 Outdoor Championships and the Pan American U20 Athletics Championships made clear when asked what everyone should expect of him in 2026.
"You're gonna see dominance in the run game, dominance at the point of attack — stuffing the run, A gap to D gap," he said. "You're gonna see a real presence, for sure."
