PRO CAREER – Tanoh Kpassagnon joined the Saints via free agency looking to bring his size, speed and athleticism to one of the most productive defensive lines in the NFL. Formerly a second round draft choice in the 2017 NFL Draft (59th overall) out of Villanova by Kansas City, Kpassagnon spent the last four seasons developing into an important pass rushing presence along the Chiefs defensive front. The Kalamazoo, Mich. native started 15-of-16 games for Kansas City in 2020, recording 28 tackles (20 solo), one sack and three passes defensed while starting all three postseason contests with five tackles (one solo), one sack and one pass defense in the Chiefs' run to Super Bowl LV. For his career, the fifth-year pro has appeared in 61 regular season games with 24 starts, recording 84 tackles (51 solo), seven sacks, five passes defensed, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, one special teams stop and a blocked field goal. Kpassagnon has also started six-of-eight postseason contests, posting ten tackles (seven solo), three sacks and two passes defensed.
TRANSACTIONS – Agreed to terms on a two-year contract with New Orleans Saints (UFA-KC), 3/29/21; Signed to a four-year contract by Kansas City, 6/7/17; Selected in the second round (59th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft by Kansas City Chiefs.
2020 – Appeared in all 16 regular season games with 15 starts and all three postseason contests for Kansas City, recording 28 tackles (20 solo), one sack and three passes defensed while starting all three playoff games with five tackles (one solo), one sack and one pass defense in the Chiefs' run to Super Bowl LV…Tallied four tackles and a pass breakup in the Chiefs overtime win at L.A. Chargers, Sept. 20…Recorded his first sack of the season at Denver, Oct. 25…Posted a season-high five tackles (four solo) vs. Carolina, Nov. 8…Sacked Bills QB Josh Allen for an 18-yard loss in the AFC Championship Game, 1/24/21. 2019 – Appeared in all 16 regular season games with eight starts and started all three postseason contests for Super Bowl LIV champions, posting career highs in total tackles (29 with 20 solo) and sacks (four) while adding two passes defensed, his first career forced fumble and fumble recovery and blocking one field goal attempt on special teams…Recorded first sack of the season while adding two solo tackles and his first career forced fumble at Oakland, Sept. 15…Tied season-high with five tackles (four solo) vs. Indianapolis, Oct. 6…Tied career-high with two sacks of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers for a loss of 30 yards vs Green Bay, Oct. 27…Tied a season-high with five tackles (three solo) and one sack of Raiders QB Derek Carr vs. Oakland, Dec. 1…Blocked a field goal attempt at New England, Dec. 8…Tallied a postseason-best with two sacks of Titans QB Ryan Tannehill in the AFC Championship game vs. Tennessee, 1/19/20...Recorded two tackles (one solo) in Super Bowl LIV vs. San Francisco, 2/2/20. 2018 – Appeared in 13 regular season games and one postseason contest, finishing with four tackles (three solo)… Recorded two tackles (one solo) at L.A. Chargers, Sept. 9...Played on defense and special teams in the AFC Divisional Playoff vs. Indianapolis, 1/12/19…Inactive for the AFC Championship Game vs. New England, 1/20/19. 2017 – Appeared in all 16 regular season games with one start, posting 13 tackles (seven solo), two sacks for a loss of 17 yards and one special teams stop…Made his first career NFL start in the regular season finale at Denver, Dec. 31, where he turned in career-bests with seven tackles (four solo) and his first two career sacks…Played on defense and special teams in the AFC Wild Card game vs. Tennessee, 1/6/18.
COLLEGE – The Villanova standout appeared in 41 career games in four seasons with the Wildcats…Totaled 105 tackles (65 solo), 22 sacks, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and a 29-yard interception return…Garnered first-team AP FCS All-American in 2016, ranking sixth in FCS with 21.5 tackles for loss and tying for fifth nationally with 11 sacks…Turned in first-team All-CAA in 2015 with 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks...Played as reserve in 2013 with 15 tackles and a sack…Missed eight games (knee) in sophomore campaign where he tallied 12 tackles, five for loss and 3.5 sacks in six games…Redshirted in 2012…Departed from Villanova with Preseason STATS FCS All-American and preseason All-CAA Football honors…Candidate for CAA Football Defensive Player of the Year…Graduated with bachelor's degrees in accounting and finance as double major.
PERSONAL – Attended Wissahickon (Ambler, Pa.) HS, lettering in football, track and basketball, receiving first-team All-League honors in football and basketball…Born in Kalamazoo, Mich. on June 14, 1994… Name pronounced: Tawn-oh pass-N-yo.
