As a true freshman, he didn't appear in any games. As a sophomore, he missed most of the season with an injury. He appeared in 3 games as a backup, making one tackle.[2]
As a junior, he appeared in all 13 games as backup, posting 5 tackles (1 for loss).[2]
As a senior, he became a starter after Eddie Vanderdoes was lost for the season with a right knee injury. He appeared in 13 games with 11 starts, registering 47 tackles (ninth on the team), 5 tackles for loss (tied for fourth on the team). He had 7 tackles against the University of Colorado. He made 6 tackles against Stanford University. He finished his career with 38 games (19 starts), 91 tackles (8 for loss), 1.5 sacks, three passes defensed and one fumble recovery.[3]
In 2017, he appeared in nine games as a backup, posting 15 tackles (one for loss), 1.5 sacks and two quarterback pressures. In 2018, he appeared in two games as a backup and had four tackles. On September 1, 2019, Ankou was waived by the Jaguars and re-signed to the practice squad on September 3.[9]
Cleveland Browns
Ankou was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Jaguars' practice squad on October 22, 2019.[10] Ankou appeared in 9 games with 2 starts, tallying 7 tackles (one for loss). He was waived by the Browns on September 6, 2020.[11]
Indianapolis Colts
On September 7, 2020, Ankou was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts.[12] He was declared inactive during the first 5 weeks of the season. He was waived on October 17.[13]
Houston Texans (second stint)
On October 19, 2020, Ankou was claimed off waivers by the Texans and placed on the exempt/commissioner permission list.[14] On October 26, he was activated from the exempt/commissioner permission list.
Dallas Cowboys
On November 2, 2020, Ankou was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 7th round draft pick (#245-Andrew Stueber) in the 2022 NFL draft.[15] He was acquired to provide depth after the release of defensive tackleDontari Poe and to help improve a defensive line that was struggling to stop the run. He appeared in 7 games as a backup, tallying 5 tackles and one quarterback pressure. He wasn't re-signed after the season.
Atlanta Falcons
On May 17, 2021, Ankou signed with the Atlanta Falcons.[16] He was waived on June 17, 2021.[17]
Buffalo Bills
On June 22, 2021, Ankou signed with the Buffalo Bills.[18] He was waived on August 15.[19]
Atlanta Falcons (second stint)
On August 18, 2021, Ankou signed with the Falcons.[20] He was waived on August 31, 2021.[21]
Pittsburgh Steelers
On October 5, 2021, Ankou was signed to the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad.[22] He was released on October 12.[23]
Tennessee Titans
On October 26, 2021, Ankou was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.[24] On November 1, 2021, Ankou was released from the practice squad.[25]
Buffalo Bills (second stint)
On November 16, 2021, Ankou was signed to the Bills' practice squad. He played in six games, recording 10 tackles and one sack.[26] He signed with the Bills on February 7, 2022.[27] He was released on August 30, 2022.[28] He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 3, 2022. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 23, 2023.[29]
On August 29, 2023, Ankou was waived by the Bills and re-signed to the practice squad.[30][31]
Atlanta Falcons (third stint)
On October 4, 2023, Ankou was signed by the Falcons off the Bills practice squad.[32] He was released by the Falcons on October 24, 2023.
Buffalo Bills (third stint)
On October 25, 2023, Ankou was signed to the Bills practice squad.[33] He signed a reserve/future contract with the team on January 23, 2024.
Ankou was released by the Bills as part of final roster cuts on August 27, 2024,[34] then later added back to the practice squad.[35] Ankou was released by Buffalo on December 19, and re-signed to the practice squad.[36]
Personal life
Ankou is an Ojibwe of the Dokis First Nation through his mother Nicole Bellefeuille, while his father Adolphe is originally from the West African nation of Togo.[37][38] He has been in a relationship with American racing cyclist Shayna Powless since 2013, after the couple met at UCLA:[39] as of 2021 the couple were engaged.[40]
