It's the Bears for Osei-Bonsu
May 21, 2026 | Football
SPRINGFIELD -- All-CUSA men's basketball standout Michael Osei-Bonsu has signed a financial aid agreement to continue his college athletic career with Missouri State football, head coach Casey Woods announced today.
Osei-Bonsu, a powerful, 6-foot-4, 280-pounder, completed his basketball eligibility in March after scoring over 900 points in two seasons with the Bears and has decided to try his hand at college football this fall. He would have one season of eligibility with Woods and the football squad.
"We are so fired up to have Big Mike join our team," said Woods. "He has been an incredibly valuable athlete to this campus and community, and keeping him home in Springfield is another testament to the direction and energy of the Bears fanbase. We are so excited to be on this journey with him. It Takes Us All! Go Bears!"
Woods noted that Osei-Bonsu will begin his football journey by testing the waters with the defensive line and tight end position groups this summer as he begins learning his new craft.
A product of Bolingbrook (Ill.) High School, Osei-Bonsu came to Missouri State in 2023-24 after starting his college basketball career with two years at Vincennes (Ind.) University. He has never played organized football.
"Missouri State has been home to me the past two years, and I am excited to continue that journey," said Osei-Bonsu. "I appreciate coach Woods and the staff allowing me this incredible opportunity. I look forward to the challenges of learning a new sport, representing the Bears and doing whatever I can to help us win."
Osei-Bonsu averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for Missouri State as a senior in 2025-26 to earn All-Conference USA third-team honors. He shot a team-high 59.0 percent from the field to lead all CUSA players. He also was named to the 2026 Conference USA All-Tournament Team and was CUSA Co-Player of the Week on Jan. 26. His best outing was a career-high 31 points in Mo State's upset of top-seeded Liberty in the CUSA Tournament quarterfinals after making 14-of-16 field goals with 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He scored in double-figures 24 times this season with six double-doubles for coach Cuonzo Martin.
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Osei-Bonsu, a powerful, 6-foot-4, 280-pounder, completed his basketball eligibility in March after scoring over 900 points in two seasons with the Bears and has decided to try his hand at college football this fall. He would have one season of eligibility with Woods and the football squad.
"We are so fired up to have Big Mike join our team," said Woods. "He has been an incredibly valuable athlete to this campus and community, and keeping him home in Springfield is another testament to the direction and energy of the Bears fanbase. We are so excited to be on this journey with him. It Takes Us All! Go Bears!"
Woods noted that Osei-Bonsu will begin his football journey by testing the waters with the defensive line and tight end position groups this summer as he begins learning his new craft.
A product of Bolingbrook (Ill.) High School, Osei-Bonsu came to Missouri State in 2023-24 after starting his college basketball career with two years at Vincennes (Ind.) University. He has never played organized football.
"Missouri State has been home to me the past two years, and I am excited to continue that journey," said Osei-Bonsu. "I appreciate coach Woods and the staff allowing me this incredible opportunity. I look forward to the challenges of learning a new sport, representing the Bears and doing whatever I can to help us win."
Osei-Bonsu averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for Missouri State as a senior in 2025-26 to earn All-Conference USA third-team honors. He shot a team-high 59.0 percent from the field to lead all CUSA players. He also was named to the 2026 Conference USA All-Tournament Team and was CUSA Co-Player of the Week on Jan. 26. His best outing was a career-high 31 points in Mo State's upset of top-seeded Liberty in the CUSA Tournament quarterfinals after making 14-of-16 field goals with 8 rebounds and 4 assists. He scored in double-figures 24 times this season with six double-doubles for coach Cuonzo Martin.
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