Texas Southern University (TSU) bolstered their list of former Tigers in the United States Football League (USFL) with the free agent signing of Ikenna Onwuasoanya.
Onwuasianya, a 6-foot-2, 272-pound defensive tackle, signed with the Houston Gamblers on May 20, 2022.
He was transferred to the team’s inactive roster shortly after being signed, likely solidifying a place for Onwuasianya on Houston’s practice squad.
Ike, as he was known in college, spent his first three football seasons at Texas Southern before transferring to Colorado State University (CSU) Pueblo for his senior year (more on that shortly).
As a redshirt freshman for the Tigers in 2017, Onwuasianya garnered 22 total tackles (nine solo), four quarterback hurries, three sacks, two pass deflections and one blocked kick; in 2018, there are no definitive stats for the defensive lineman.
In his junior year at TSU in 2019, Onwuasianya amassed 39 total tackles (17 solo), three sacks and one QB hurry.
He transferred to CSU Pueblo after his junior year at TSU, and was eligible to play with the team for the 2021 season.
In Onwuasianya’s lone season with the CSU Pueblo ThunderWolves, he racked up a massive 46 total tackles (22 solo), nine sacks, three QB hurries and one forced fumble.
Bringing us to the 2022 USFL season, where Onwuasianya is now a member of the Gamblers — and although he has yet to see any playing time this year, that could definitely change in the foreseeable future.
Fun facts: Onwuasianya, who is originally from Houston, Texas, attended Bellaire High School and graduated in 2016; his official Twitter page also headlines an inspiring Bible verse that the defensive tackle features on his bio in Philippians 4:13 — “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”
Could we see this guy moved to the Gamblers active roster sometime before this USFL season comes to a close?
I hope so!
Due up next for Onwuasianya and the Houston Gamblers (1-7, 4th place in South): a battle against the undefeated Birmingham Stallions (8-0, 1st place in South) on Saturday, June 11 at 5 pm Central Time on USA.
Due up next in a USFL profile snapshot: a closer look at the University of Houston’s D’Juan Hines.
