4DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 16, 2024) – All-conference defensive lineman Philip Ossai will represent the University of North Alabama and look to attract NFL scouts as he has been selected to play in the 2024 Trillion Tropical Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 20.
 
The game will be hosted at Municipal Stadium in Daytona Beach, Fla. The festivities begin on Thursday and Friday with practices and scout/player interviews in Celebration, Fla. The game will take place Saturday at 12 p.m.
 
Ossai will play on the "National" team and wear No. 49. His team will wear black uniforms. They will face the "American" team in white uniforms. Over 150 players will participate in the game, many of which come from FBS and FCS level schools from across the nation. Ossai and Austin Peay quarterback Mike DiLiello are the two representatives from the United Athletic Conference.
 
Back on December 10, Ossai competed in the FCS National Bowl in Daytona Beach and finished with eight tackles, including five solo, with 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.
 
Ossai was lauded with honors this season, including UAC second team all-conference in a vote of the league's head coaches and first team all-conference selections from Phil Steele and FCS Football Central.
 
For the Lions, Ossai totaled 63 tackles this season with a team-high 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He had five QB hurries to lead the Purple Swarm, as well as two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups. The two fumble recoveries both came against Tennessee Tech, set UNA's FCS era record for recoveries in a game.
 
The Conroe, Texas native looks to follow in his brother's footsteps to a professional football career. His brother is Joseph Ossai, a former standout at Texas who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
 
For more information on the 2024 Trillion Tropical Bowl, click here.
 
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