Brian Asamoah II Bio
Brian Asamoah II is an American professional football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 230 pounds, Asamoah works primarily as an inside linebacker and has also contributed on special teams throughout his career.
After beginning his NFL journey in Minnesota, Asamoah navigated a series of roster moves during the 2025 season, spending time with the Tennessee Titans and the Las Vegas Raiders before landing in Cincinnati. Across his first three professional seasons, he has developed a reputation for speed, pursuit, and versatility at the second level of the defense.
Early Life and Background
Brian Asamoah II was born on March 29, 2000, in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Columbus, Ohio. He comes from a Ghanaian family, and his cultural background has played an important role in shaping his identity and work ethic. Growing up in the Columbus area, Asamoah was introduced to football at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the physical, fast-paced nature of the sport.
He attended St. Francis De Sales High School in Columbus, where he lined up at both linebacker and running back. Playing on both sides of the ball helped him build the tackling instincts, vision, and athleticism that would later define his college recruitment. Following his senior season, Asamoah committed to the University of Oklahoma, choosing the Sooners over other programs that recognized his upside as a defensive prospect.
Path to American Football
Asamoah’s path to the professional ranks began with a redshirt year at Oklahoma in 2018, which gave him time to develop physically and learn the Sooners’ defensive scheme. In 2019, he appeared in a reserve role and produced 23 tackles along with two sacks, signaling his potential as a disruptive force in the backfield.
His breakout came in 2020, when he started nine of eleven games and led Oklahoma with 66 tackles, two sacks, and one interception. As a junior in 2021, Asamoah started 10 of 12 games and added 90 tackles with two forced fumbles. He opted out of the 2021 Alamo Bowl to begin preparing for the 2022 NFL draft, where his coverage skills and range made him an attractive mid-round prospect.
Brian Asamoah II Career
Early Career (2022)
Brian Asamoah II was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 66th overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft. He transitioned quickly to the NFL, earning a role in the Vikings’ linebacker rotation and contributing on special teams. His rookie campaign proved to be his most productive season statistically, as he posted a career-high 17 combined tackles while adjusting to the speed and complexity of professional play.
During his time in Minnesota, Asamoah also cycled through jersey numbers, moving from 33 to 2 and eventually to 6 as he searched for the right fit. Over his three seasons with the Vikings, he accumulated 30 combined tackles and continued to refine his assignments against both the run and the pass.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2022–2024)
Asamoah spent his first three NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, working primarily as a depth linebacker and core special teams contributor. He flashed the athleticism that had drawn the Vikings to him on draft night, showing the range to cover sideline to sideline and the speed to chase down plays on the perimeter.
On August 12, 2025, Asamoah was waived by the Vikings, ending his original NFL tenure. The move opened the door to a whirlwind stretch that saw him bounce between three franchises over the following months.
Tennessee Titans (2025)
Just one day after being waived by Minnesota, Brian Asamoah II was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans on August 13, 2025. The move gave him a fresh opportunity to compete for a roster spot during the final week of the preseason.
However, his time in Tennessee was brief. On August 26, 2025, Asamoah was waived as part of the Titans’ final roster cuts, sending him back onto the open market.
Las Vegas Raiders (2025)
On September 1, 2025, Brian Asamoah II signed with the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad, where he worked to stay ready for a potential call-up to the active roster. He spent nearly two months with the organization, continuing his development within a new defensive system.
Asamoah was released by the Raiders on October 28, 2025, once again becoming a free agent as the NFL season approached its midpoint.
Cincinnati Bengals (2025–Present)
On October 30, 2025, Brian Asamoah II signed with the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad, giving him another chance to compete at the highest level. He was promoted to the active roster on November 10, 2025, marking his return to a 53-man roster midway through the season.
In four appearances for the Bengals, Asamoah contributed across 58 special teams snaps. He suffered a knee injury in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens and was placed on injured reserve on December 1, 2025, pausing what had been a steady push for a longer-term role in Cincinnati.
Driving Style and Strengths
Asamoah is best known for his range, acceleration, and instincts in space. Coaches have praised his ability to read plays quickly, pursue ball carriers sideline to sideline, and contribute in coverage against running backs and tight ends. His special teams value has been a defining trait, giving him a path to stay active on game days even when defensive snaps are limited.
Notable Events and Milestones
Asamoah’s defining milestones include being a third-round NFL draft pick in 2022, earning Second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2021, and navigating four franchises in a single calendar year. His 2025 journey from Minnesota to Tennessee, Las Vegas, and finally Cincinnati stands as a testament to his perseverance and professionalism.
Brian Asamoah II Career Wins
Brian Asamoah II’s professional résumé is still being written, with his primary statistical contributions coming on special teams and in rotational defensive snaps. Through his first three seasons and parts of a fourth, he has accumulated 30 combined tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Minnesota Vikings Highlights
Asamoah’s most productive statistical season came in 2022, when he recorded 17 combined tackles as a rookie. He added forced fumbles and fumble recoveries during his Vikings tenure, giving Minnesota valuable depth at the linebacker position.
Other Wins & Performances
Asamoah earned Second-team All-Big 12 recognition in 2021, capping a junior season in which he posted 90 tackles and two forced fumbles for Oklahoma. That honor cemented his status as one of the top linebackers in the conference and helped propel him into the 2022 NFL draft conversation.
Brian Asamoah II Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Brian Asamoah II was raised in a Ghanaian household in Columbus, Ohio, by parents who helped instill a strong sense of discipline and cultural pride. While he has kept much of his family life private, his Ghanaian heritage is a part of the identity he carries into every chapter of his football career.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Asamoah maintains a presence on social media, where he shares updates about his career and his journey through the NFL. He is known for staying connected to his roots and embracing the path that has taken him from Columbus to Oklahoma and through multiple NFL cities.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has been one of the most eventful of Brian Asamoah II’s career, defined by rapid transitions between teams. After being waived by the Vikings on August 12, he was claimed by the Tennessee Titans a day later, waived on August 26, signed to the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad on September 1, and released on October 28.
He then signed with the Cincinnati Bengals’ practice squad on October 30 before being promoted to the active roster on November 10. In four appearances with the Bengals, Asamoah logged 58 special teams snaps before a knee injury in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens sent him to injured reserve on December 1.
Looking ahead, Asamoah remains under contract and continues his recovery with the Bengals organization. His combination of speed, special teams reliability, and defensive upside gives him a pathway back to the active roster once he is healthy.