Brian Asamoah II Bio
Brian Asamoah II (born March 29, 2000) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet tall and weighing around 229 pounds, he plays the linebacker position and is known for his speed and coverage ability. He rose to prominence after a standout college career with the Oklahoma Sooners and was selected in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Minnesota Vikings.
After beginning his NFL journey in Minnesota, Asamoah spent brief stints with the Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders before landing with the Cincinnati Bengals. His career has been marked by steady development, position versatility, and the perseverance required to navigate multiple teams in just his first few professional seasons.
Early Life and Background
Brian Asamoah II was born on March 29, 2000, in Newark, New Jersey, to a Ghanaian family. He was raised in Columbus, Ohio, where he grew up immersed in a strong cultural heritage that helped shape his work ethic and competitive drive. His background gave him an early appreciation for discipline and the value of earning opportunities through preparation.
Asamoah attended St. Francis De Sales High School in Columbus, where he played both linebacker and running back. Playing on both sides of the ball helped him develop the tackling fundamentals needed on defense while also sharpening his vision and ball-carrying instincts on offense. Those versatile high school experiences laid the foundation for the multi-dimensional role he would later embrace at the college level.
Path to American Football
Coming out of St. Francis De Sales, Asamoah was a highly regarded recruit who drew interest from several college programs. He ultimately committed to the University of Oklahoma, choosing the Sooners for their tradition of developing defensive talent and competing at the highest level of college football. The decision to head to Norman marked the beginning of his formal progression toward a professional career.
At Oklahoma, Asamoah redshirted his first year in 2018, allowing him to learn the system, build strength, and adjust to the demands of Division I football. The patience paid off as he steadily climbed the depth chart, eventually earning a starting role and recognition as one of the conference’s most productive linebackers.
Brian Asamoah II Career
College Career (2018–2021)
After redshirting in 2018, Asamoah appeared in his first college action during the 2019 season, recording 23 tackles and two sacks while learning the intricacies of the Sooners’ defensive scheme. His development was steady and his role continued to expand, foreshadowing the larger responsibilities that would soon follow.
In the 2020 season, Asamoah played in eleven games with nine starts and led the team with 66 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. His ball-hawking instincts and sideline-to-sideline range became defining traits. As a junior in 2021, he started 10 of 12 games, amassing 90 tackles and two forced fumbles, and he was honored with Second-team All-Big 12 recognition. He elected to skip the 2021 Alamo Bowl in order to focus on preparation for the 2022 NFL draft.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2022–2024)
Asamoah was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 66th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, marking the official start of his professional career. As a rookie in 2022, he quickly carved out a role on special teams and as a rotational linebacker, finishing the year with a career-high 17 combined tackles.
Over his next two seasons with the Vikings, he continued to contribute primarily on special teams and in spot defensive duties, with his combined tackle total reaching 30 across his first three professional seasons. During his time in Minnesota, Asamoah also changed jersey numbers three times, switching from 33 to 2 to 6. He was waived by the Vikings on August 12, 2025, as the team shaped its roster heading into the new season.
Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders (2025)
On August 13, 2025, Asamoah was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans, giving him a fresh opportunity heading into the 2025 campaign. Unfortunately, his time in Tennessee was short, as he was waived on August 26 as part of the league’s final roster cuts.
Just days later, on September 1, 2025, Asamoah signed with the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad, where he continued to refine his game. He was released by the Raiders on October 28, 2025, ending another brief stop along his early professional journey.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2025–Present)
On October 30, 2025, Asamoah signed with the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad, quickly integrating into the team’s defensive structure. Less than two weeks later, on November 10, he was promoted to the active roster, signaling the Bengals’ confidence in his abilities.
In four appearances with Cincinnati, Asamoah contributed primarily on special teams, logging 58 special teams snaps. He suffered a knee injury in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens and was subsequently placed on injured reserve on December 1, bringing an early end to his 2025 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Asamoah’s young career is his selection as the 66th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, a milestone that validated his years of development at Oklahoma. His Second-team All-Big 12 honor in 2021 also stands out as a key collegiate achievement, while his rapid movement through four NFL organizations in 2025 underscores both his resilience and the league’s appreciation for his skill set.
Brian Asamoah II Career Wins
As a linebacker, Brian Asamoah II’s career statistics are measured in tackles, sacks, and defensive contributions rather than wins in the traditional sense. Across his first three seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, he recorded 30 combined tackles, with his career-high 17 coming during his 2022 rookie campaign. His college ledger at Oklahoma featured 179 total tackles, four sacks, one interception, and two forced fumbles across his redshirt freshman through junior seasons.
College Highlights
Asamoah’s standout 2020 and 2021 campaigns at Oklahoma established him as one of the Big 12’s most productive linebackers. His 90-tackle junior season earned him Second-team All-Big 12 honors and cemented his status as an NFL prospect, leading directly to his third-round selection in the 2022 draft.
Brian Asamoah II Family
Family Background and Lineage
Brian Asamoah II comes from a Ghanaian family, a heritage he has publicly acknowledged as an important part of his identity. Growing up in Columbus, Ohio, with strong cultural roots helped shape his discipline and competitive mindset from a young age.
Personal Life
Asamoah has generally kept his personal life private, focusing public attention on his football career. He was born Brian Asamoah II, and his family background remains closely tied to his journey through the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of transition for Brian Asamoah II, who began the year with the Minnesota Vikings before being waived in mid-August. He briefly landed with the Tennessee Titans, was let go during final cuts, and joined the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad in early September. Each stop reflected the journeyman reality many young linebackers face as they fight to secure a permanent roster role.
His most significant development came when the Cincinnati Bengals signed him to their practice squad on October 30 and quickly promoted him to the active roster on November 10. Although he appeared in four games primarily on special teams, he was unable to add to his defensive stat line before suffering a knee injury against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. He was placed on injured reserve on December 1, closing out his 2025 campaign.
Looking ahead, the focus for Asamoah will be on recovery and re-establishing himself within the Bengals organization. With his rookie contract cycle nearing its end, his performance in 2026 will be pivotal in determining his long-term trajectory in the league.