Akwasi Owusu-Ansah life and biography

COLLEGE:
With their fourth round selection in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Akwasi Owusu-Ansah. Owusu-Ansah has the ability to play cornerback and safety as well as excelling as both a kickoff and punt returner. With the release of Ken Hamlin in the offseason, Owusu-Ansah will provide immediate depth at safety as a rookie while challenging Alan Ball and Michael Hamlin for the starting role. He will also be counted on to contribute on special teams, something he did well for the Crimson Hawks in his four years, totaling 53 kickoff returns for 1,371 yards (25.9 avg.) with three touchdowns and 70 punt returns for 788 yards (11.3 avg.) with four touchdowns. He established Indiana University of Pennsylvania all-time records for kickoff returns (53), yards (1,371) and scores (three) while his average of 25.87 ranks third in school record books. His 788 punt return yards established a school career record while his 70 returns ranked second. His seven total kick returns for touchdowns (four kickoff returns, three punt returns) are the most by an NCAA Division II player in a career since Kevin Nickerson of Central Missouri tied the national record with ten touchdowns (1998-01; eight punt returns, two kickoff returns). Owusu-Ansah played in 43 career games at IUP, starting his final 21 games as left cornerback, recording 73 stops and 10 interceptions.

2009:
# Named All-American first-team selection by The NFL Draft Report and the American Football Coaches Association - just the 16th player in school history to earn AFAC first-team honors - adding second-team honors from the Associated Press and All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference first-team choice on both defense and special teams.
# Started 11 games at left cornerback recording 27 tackles (20 solos) with 1.5 tackles for losses with four pass deflections and two interceptions for 42 return yards.
# Ranked second in the league and 20th in the nation with 22 punt returns for 275 yards (12.5 avg.) and a school single-season record with three touchdowns. His 12.5 average ranks fourth in school history.
# Led the PSAC and placed sixth in the D-II ranks with 16 kickoff returns for 475 yards (29.7 avg.) and two scores. His five total kick returns for touchdowns established a conference and school record.
# Kickoff return average of 29.7 yards ranks second only to Derrick Smith (30.4 avg. in 2003) on the Crimson Hawks season record list.

2008:
# Earned All-American second-team honors from The NFL Draft Report and All-PSAC second-team accolades from the league's coaches as a junior.
# Started all 10 games at left corner and led the league and ranked second in the nation with eight interceptions for 222 yards in returns (27.8 avg.) and a touchdown. His eight interceptions ranked fourth in school history for a single season and his 222 return yards set the IUP annual record.
# Ranked second in the league with 20 punt returns for 242 yards (12.1 avg.) and placed fifth with a 24.5-yard average on 13 kickoff returns for 318 yards. His 12.1 punt return average ranked sixth in school history.
# Picked off three passes in the Gannon game, the most by an IUP player in a game since Reece Brown did so in a playoff victory over Virginia Union in 1991.

2007:
# Played in 12 games mainly in nickel packages, recording 12 tackles (eight solos), one forced fumble and two pass deflections.
# Also saw brief action as a tailback, gaining six yards on two carries.
# Returned 28 punts for 271 yards (9.7 avg.) and one touchdown, a 55-yarder against Lock Haven.
# Added 499 yards on 20 kickoff returns (25.0 avg.), including an 81-yard touchdown against Cheyney.

2006:
# Saw action in 10 games as a true freshman and totaled 20 tackles (18 solos) and forced a fumble that he recovered for a 45-yard touchdown.
# Also deflected three passes and returned four kickoffs for 79 yards (19.8 avg.).

PERSONAL:
# Akwasi Owusu-Ansah attended Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio, where he earned All-Columbus City-North League recognition as a running back.
# Also lettered in track.
# Was a physical education major at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
# His first name, Akwasi, means "Born on Sunday."

# His family is from Ghana, Africa.

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