Akwasi Owusu-Ansah

Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (born April 10, 1988) is an American football defensive back and wide receiver with the Oakland Raiders in the National Football League (NFL). Owusu-Ansah played collegiate football at Division II Indiana (Pa.), and was considered one of the top cornerback and top small school prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft. Ultimately, he was selected in the fourth round, 126th overall by the Dallas Cowboys. He was the 14th cornerback selected, and the second player from Division II behind future Raiders teammate Jared Veldheer. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi fraternity Gamma Mu chapter.

Owusu-Ansah has also been a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

High school
Akwasi Owusu-Ansah attended Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from Whetstone in 2006. Owusu-Ansah is Whetstone's career leading rusher for yards and touchdowns and led the Braves to their first back-to-back winning seasons in over 10 years. Owusu-Ansah received All-Ohio Honorable Mention honors his senior year.

College career
Owusu-Ansah played college football for the IUP Crimson Hawks of NCAA Division II. He began attracting NFL attention following the 2008 season when had eight interceptions, including seven in the last four games, and three against Gannon University. Prior to his senior season in 2009 he was ranked as the ninth-best cornerback in the nation, and the only non-Division I player in the top 18. During his senior season he returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns and ranked in the top 15 nationally for kick and punt return average yards. He set school records for punt return yards and average and kickoff return yards.

He was selected for the 2010 East-West Shrine Game, but could not participate due to a shoulder injury suffered during his senior season. He later underwent surgery performed by James Bradley, team doctor of the Pittsburgh Steelers, in March 2010. Just before the surgery, Owusu-Ansah participated in the Pro Day workout at Ohio State University, where he recorded the fastest 40 yard dash time. Following his senior season, he was selected first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, second-team by the Associated Press and first-team All-PSAC for defense and special teams.

Upon being drafted, he was the seventh player selected from IUP, and the third-highest selection for the school after Jim Haslett in 1979 and Leander Jordan in 2000.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Gamma Mu Chapter. He is frequently referred to as "Kwasi".

Dallas Cowboys
On April 24, 2010 Owusu-Ansah was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft as the 126th overall pick. On July 19, 2010 he agreed to a four year contract worth $2.24 million with the Cowboys. As a rookie, Owusu-Ansah earned the job as the team's primary kickoff returner. He was placed on injured reserve on November 10, 2010, thus ending his rookie season.

On September 3, 2011 Owusu-Ansah was released by the Cowboys. He cleared waivers and signed to their practice squad on September 4, 2011. During the 2011 NFL season, the Cowboys started playing Owusu-Ansah as a wide receiver in addition to a safety. He was cut from the team on November 30, 2011.

Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars signed Owusu-Ansah to their practice squad on December 4, 2011. He was promoted to the active roster on December 6 after the Jaguars released tight end Fendi Onobun.

Owusu-Ansah was released on May 7, 2012.

Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys claimed Owusu-Ansah off waivers on May 8, 2012. He was released during the final roster cuts on August 31, 2012.

Oakland Raiders
He was signed to the Raiders' practice squad on September 19, 2012. He was released on September 27, 2012 but resigned to the practice squad on October 1, 2012. He was released from the practice squad October 30, 2012.