Tanoh Kpassagnon
{{Short description|American football player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Tanoh Kpassagnon
| image = Tanoh Kpassagnon Saints OCT2021 (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Kpassagnon with the New Orleans Saints in 2021
| current_team =
| number =
| position = Defensive end
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|6|14}}
| birth_place = Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lbs = 289
| high_school = Wissahickon {{avoid wrap|(Ambler, Pennsylvania)}}
| college = Villanova (2012–2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 59
| pastteams =
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2017}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2021}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (LIV)
- 2× First-team All-CAA (2015, 2016)
- CAA Defensive Player of the Year (2016)
| statweek =
| statseason = 2024
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 141
| statlabel2 = Sacks
| statvalue2 = 16.5
| statlabel3 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue3 = 2
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| statlabel5 = Pass deflections
| statvalue5 = 9
| pfr = KpasTa00
}}
Tanoh Kpassagnon ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɑː|n|oʊ|_|ˈ|p|æ|s|ən|j|oʊ}} {{respell|TAH|noh|_|PASS|ən|yoh}};{{Cite web |title=Tanoh Kpassagnon Draft Profile |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/tanoh-kpassagnon?id=2558185 |access-date=April 30, 2017 |website=NFL.com}} born June 14, 1994)[http://www.villanova.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/tanoh_kpassagnon_813025.html Villanova Wildcats bio] is an American professional football defensive end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Villanova Wildcats and was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft.
Early life
Kpassagnon attended and played high school football at Wissahickon High School in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
College career
Kpassagnon committed to play at Villanova University, the only school to offer him a scholarship for football. He redshirted his freshman season and started as a tight end. By his junior season, he had switched to defensive end. As a senior, he was the Colonial Athletic Association defensive player of the year after recording 11 sacks. In a game against Pittsburgh, Kpassagnon blocked a field goal and had two tackles for loss.{{Cite news |last=Thamel |first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |date=January 16, 2017 |title=Meet Tanoh Kpassagnon, the next small-school sensation of the NFL draft |work=Sports Illustrated |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/01/26/tanoh-kpassagnon-nfl-draft-villanova |access-date=February 3, 2020}}
Kpassagnon double-majored in accounting and finance at Villanova. He interned at the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers for two summers.{{Cite web |last=Pelissero |first=Tom |date=April 17, 2017 |title=Villanova's Tanoh Kpassagnon making name for himself with NFL draft rise |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2017/04/17/tanoh-kpassagnon-villanova-nfl-draft-2017/100573976/ |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} He was later admitted to Master of Business Administration at Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Bloomington.{{cite web| url =https://blog.kelley.iu.edu/2021/02/05/kelley-student-up-for-nfls-walter-payton-man-of-the-year-another-is-playing-in-the-big-game/| title =Kelley student up for NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year; Three suited up for the big game|publisher=Kelley School of Business|accessdate=21 May 2025}}
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Kpassagnon received an invitation to the Senior Bowl and made two combined tackles and a sack, helping the South clinch a 16–15 defeat over the North.{{Cite web |title=Senior Bowl: 2017 South Team Roster |url=https://www.seniorbowl.com/rosters-2017.php?squad=South |access-date=June 1, 2017 |website=seniorbowl.com}} He attended the NFL Combine and completed all of the combine and positional drills. He also participated at Villanova's Pro Day and ran positional drills for scouts and representatives. Representatives from 18 NFL teams, including six defensive line coaches, attended to scout Kpassagnon as the feature prospect, two Villanova teammates, and seven other players from smaller schools.{{Cite web |last=Brandt |first=Gil |date=March 17, 2017 |title=Pro day results: Iowa, Houston, Villanova, WKU, Texas Southern |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/pro-day-results-iowa-houston-villanova-wku-texas-southern-0ap3000000796469 |access-date=June 1, 2017 |website=NFL.com}} Kpassagnon had private workouts and visits with ten NFL teams, that included the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, and Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web |title=Walter Football: 2017 NFL Draft Prospect Visits/Workouts |url=http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByProspect |access-date=June 1, 2017 |website=walterfootball.com |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810004953/http://www.walterfootball.com/prospectMeetings/byprospect |url-status=dead }} NFL draft experts and analysts projected him to be drafted anywhere from the second to fourth round. He was ranked the 12th best defensive end in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com and the 13th best defensive end by ESPN.{{Cite web |last=Legwold |first=Jeff |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Players |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |access-date=June 1, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 6 3/4
| weight = 289
| dash = 4.83
| ten split = 1.69
| twenty split = 2.81
| shuttle = 4.62
| cone drill = 7.46
| vertical = 30
| broad ft = 10
| broad in = 8
| bench = 23
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 35 5/8
| hand span = 10 5/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=Tanoh Kpassagnon Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/tanoh-kpassagnon/32004b50-4159-3274-389b-164044c6ef05 |access-date=June 1, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Scout Tanoh Kpassagnon College Football Profile |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1019063&DraftYear=2017 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |website=DraftScout.com}}{{Cite web |title=Tanoh Kpassagnon 2017 NFL Draft Profile |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240107164806/https://insider.espn.com/nfl/draft/player/_/id/51728 |access-date=January 7, 2024 |website=insider.espn.com}}
}}
=Kansas City Chiefs=
FILE:Tanoh Kpassagnon.JPG in 2017.]]
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Kpassagnon in the second round with the 59th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Sweeney |first=Pete |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Five Things To Know About New Chiefs DE Tanoh Kpassagnon |url=http://www.chiefs.com/news/article-6/Five-Things-To-Know-About-New-Chiefs-DE-Tanoh-Kpassagnon/5c85dbc0-415c-40d7-a4e5-6918330b815a |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Chiefs.com}} He was the seventh defensive end selected in the 2017 NFL Draft.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=May 17, 2023 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} On June 7, 2017, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Kpassagnon to a four-year, $4.32 million contract with $1.94 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.32 million.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: Tanoh Kpassagnon contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/tanoh-kpassagnon-21801/ |access-date=November 2, 2017 |website=spotrac.com}}
He competed with Rakeem Nuñez-Roches, Jarvis Jenkins, Allen Bailey, and David King throughout training camp for the vacant starting defensive end job left by the departure of Jaye Howard. After showing versatility and "freakish" athleticism throughout training camp and the preseason, head coach Andy Reid designated an edge rusher role for Kpassagnon that allows him to line up at multiple positions, including outside linebacker, defensive end, and defensive tackle.{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2017 |title=Tanoh Kpassagnon review: Giant edge for the Chiefs |url=https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2017/9/6/16257324/tanoh-kpassagnon-review-giant-edge-for-the-chiefs |access-date=November 2, 2017 |website=Arrowhead Pride}} Kpassagnon was named the backup right outside linebacker behind Dee Ford with the usual starter, Tamba Hali, on the physically unable to perform list to begin the regular season.
Kpassagnon made his professional regular season debut during the Chiefs' season-opening 42–27 victory over the Patriots. On December 31, 2017, with the division title and the fourth seed clinched, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid rested the majority of the teams starters, giving Kpassagnon the chance to make his first career start against the Denver Broncos. He finished with seven combined tackles and two sacks during the 27–24 victory.{{Cite web |title=Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos – December 31st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712310den.htm |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
On January 19, 2020, against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Championship Game, Kpassagnon sacked quarterback Ryan Tannehill twice during the 35–24 win.{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2020 |title=Mahomes' feet, arms, lift Chiefs to Super Bowl over Titans |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap?gameId=401131044 |access-date=January 19, 2020 |website=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} The Chiefs eventually made it to Super Bowl LIV. The Chiefs succeeded in defeating the 49ers 31–20 to secure their first championship in 50 years.{{Cite web |last=Shook |first=Nick |date=February 2, 2020 |title=Chiefs rally once again to defeat 49ers, win SB LIV |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/chiefs-rally-once-again-to-defeat-49ers-win-sb-liv-0ap3000001100762 |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=NFL.com}}
In Week 16 of the 2020 season against the Falcons, Kpassagnon tipped a potential game-tying field goal attempt by Younghoe Koo to seal a 17–14 win for the Chiefs.{{Cite web |title=Atlanta Falcons at Kansas City Chiefs – December 27th, 2020 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012270kan.htm |access-date=December 27, 2020 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}} Overall, he finished the 2020 season with 28 total tackles, one sack, and three passes defensed.{{Cite web |title=Tanoh Kpassagnon 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KpasTa00/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=March 18, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
In the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills, Kpassagnon recorded one sack on Josh Allen during the 38–24 win.{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship – Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs – January 24th, 2021 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202101240kan.htm |access-date=January 31, 2021 |website=Pro Football Reference |language=en}}
=New Orleans Saints=
Kpassagnon signed a two-year contract with the Saints on March 29, 2021.{{Cite web |date=March 29, 2021 |title=New Orleans Saints agree to terms with defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon on two-year contract |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-defensive-end-tanoh-kpassagnon-contract-roster-moves-2021 |access-date=March 30, 2021 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He was placed on injured reserve on December 2.{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2021 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves ahead of Dallas Cowboys game {{!}} NFL Week 13 |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-ahead-of-dallas-cowboys-game-nfl-week-1 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}
On February 27, 2023, Kpassagnon signed a two-year contract extension with the Saints.{{Cite web |date=February 27, 2023 |title=New Orleans Saints agree to terms with defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon on two-year contract extension |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/tanoh-kpassagnon-new-orleans-saints-defensive-end-contract-extension-roster |access-date=September 26, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} In Week 15 against Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants, Kpassagnon recorded a career–high three sacks.{{Cite web|title=Defensive end Tanoh Kpassagnon has career defensive day for New Orleans Saints against Giants|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/defensive-end-tanoh-kpassagnon-has-career-defensive-day-for-new-orleans-saints-a|access-date=December 21, 2023|website=neworleanssaints.com|language=en}}
On May 28, 2024, it was announced that Kpassagnon had suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the offseason and would miss training camp as a result.{{Cite web |last=Terrell |first=Katherine |date=2024-05-28 |title=Saints DE Kpassagnon tore Achilles in offseason |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/40235029/saints-de-tanoh-kpassagnon-tore-achilles-offseason |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}
On August 27, 2024, Kpassagnon was placed on the reserve/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to begin the season.{{Cite web |last=DeShazier |first=John |date=July 18, 2024 |title=New Orleans Saints right tackle Ryan Ramczyk placed on Reserve/PUP list |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-right-tackle-ryan-ramczyk-placed-on-reserve-pup-list |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=August 27, 2024 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-53-man-roster-cuts-moves-transactions-august-27-2024-nfl-season |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He was activated on December 14.
Personal life
Kpassagnon is the son of Ivorian and Ugandan parents.{{Cite web |last=Okupa |first=Francis |date=May 2, 2017 |title=Plenty of African players picked up during the 2017 NFL Draft |url=https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/19285401/http-wwwespnfccom-blog-football-africa-80-post-3116887-africans-europe-weekend-review |access-date=April 8, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}} His mother, Winifred Wafwoyo, is a chemist, and his father, Patrice Kpassagnon Tagro, is an economist.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://www.neworleanssaints.com/team/players-roster/tanoh-kpassagnon/ New Orleans Saints bio]
- [https://villanova.com/sports/football/roster/tanoh-kpassagnon/1126 Villanova Wildcats bio]
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kpassagnon, Tanoh}}
Category:Players of American football from Kalamazoo, Michigan
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Villanova Wildcats football players
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players
Category:American people of Ivorian descent
Category:American people of Ugandan descent
Category:Sportspeople of Ugandan descent
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:American football tight ends