In which BracketCat counts down the 44th day until the 2024 kickoff with a profile of Kansas State defensive end/linebacker Tobi Osunsanmi.

#44 Tobi Osunsanmi

Redshirt Sophomore | 6-3 | 246 lbs. | Wichita, Kansas

Position: Defensive End/Linebacker
Previous College: None
Projection: Third-String
Status: On Scholarship

Tobi Osunsanmi (b. March 19, 2004) is an intense young linebacker-turned-defensive end from Wichita High School East who is majoring in construction science and management.

He played in four games during the 2022 Big 12 Championship season as he preserved his redshirt, collecting tackles on kickoff coverage against Oklahoma State and Kansas.

Last season, Osunsanmi saw time in all 13 games as a reserve linebacker, a rush end on passing downs and on special teams — and he was so impressive in that middle role that it appears set to become his primary position during the 2024 season.

He tied for team-high honors with five tackles on kickoff coverage, including two against Baylor; carded two tackles at Oklahoma State; had a sack that forced a fumble against Troy; and officially converted from linebacker to defensive end toward the end of the season.

Osunsanmi prepped under head coach Ene Akpan at Wichita East, where he was regarded as the 232nd-best overall player in the nation for the Class of 2022 by 247Sports, which also rated him the 18th-best linebacker and second-best overall player in the state of Kansas.

Osunsanmi earned all-state honors from the Kansas Football Coaches Association after totaling 74 tackles, two forced fumbles and a blocked punt for the Aces. He also competed in track — winning state in the 4×100 — and basketball.

At East, Osunsanmi prepped at the same school as current K-State safety Nickendre Stiger.

A consensus three-star prospect as a safety and linebacker by the major recruiting services, Osunsanmi chose K-State over scholarship offers from Akron, Kansas, Northern Iowa and South Dakota State, as well as interest from Iowa State, Nebraska and South Dakota.

His primary recruiters were recruiting coordinator Taylor Braet and his new position coach, linebackers coach Steve Stanard.

Here is what head coach Chris Klieman had to say about Osunsanmi on his signing day:

Tobi is a linebacker from … East High School in Wichita, Kansas. He came to camp, really excited us at camp and did a phenomenal job. His high school coach is Shaq Reed, who played here. Tobi is a long, really explosive, fast athlete that has that size already. Tobi is going to be a really big kid. He’s 6-foot-3, 210 (pounds) already, and he’ll be a 230-pound guy before you know it. Really excited to get a guy out of Wichita East High School.

And here is what defensive ends coach Buddy Wyatt had to say following spring practices:

Tobi brings us some juice off the edge, and he’s stronger and more stout against the run than you’d think. Tobi has a chance to be a really special pass-rush guy. He really does. And he’s still learning the ins and outs of playing defensive end. I’ve been impressed with Tobi’s ability to play the run. I knew he could rush the quarterback. I’ve been more impressed with his physicality

Tobi has a huge frame. He’s strong and stout, and he can carry a lot of weight. He can be an every-down player for us at defensive end. You look at some of the guys we’ve had in the past, and they weren’t even as big as Tobi is right now.

The kid has added 15 pounds since last season, so this statement takes on even more weight (get it, more weight?). Add to that defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman’s praise:

Tobi Osunsanmi is phenomenal, and he may be as gifted of an athlete as we have in the program.

Not to mention assistant head coach Van Malone’s glowing assessment of him last spring:

The other name is Tobi Osunsanmi. Tobi has been very impressive just because of his physicality and his ability to be able to run.

Man, that’s a lot to get you excited for this guy’s future!