BEREA, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Rookie linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah made quite the splash in his preseason debut Saturday night in Jacksonville.
Owusu-Koramoah led the team with eight tackles – three of those for a loss – and he recorded a sack.
For many, who were already high on Owusu-Koramoah, it was validation, including veteran linebacker Anthony Walker.
“I thought he played really well,” Walker said before Tuesday's practice. “As good as advertised and I kind of advertised him, so he made me look good, sound like a smart man. But, fast as you guys knew and saw. Quick reads, got to the point of attack right away – 8 tackles, 3 TFLs, one sack, just very active.”
The Browns felt like they landed a second first-round selection when the Notre Dame linebacker fell to round 2 in the draft, and they moved up to select him 52nd overall.
Since returning from a 10-day hiatus at the start of camp due to a positive COVID test, Owusu-Koramoah has made up for lost time, and then some.
Saturday night Owusu-Koramoah played 47 defensive snaps – 70% – and 15 more on special teams.
“[That] is a good day’s work for anybody but for him to be able to execute on defense and go out and execute on special teams, shows a lot of his preparation, especially after missing a couple of days at the start of training camp,” Walker said. “To get himself back into shape and in the position he’s in now, definitely is a testament to his work.”
Walker can see the dimension Owusu-Koramoah can bring defensively.
“It’s explosive, man,” Walker said. “It puts fear, the back can’t get out fast, you’ve got to keep guys in to protect. You’re already dealing with the two guys outside, the whole front four, and then you’ve got to deal with possibly a blitzing, linebacker, safety, it just gives us so much versatility on defense.
“He’s been dominating on the practice field and obviously as we saw this weekend. So brings a different element.”
