Over the next four weeks WEEI.com will offer up a total of 28 prospects who could be potential Patriots selections in the 2021 NFL Draft. While the top five projected overall prospects – QB Trevor Lawrence, QB Zach Wilson, WR Ja’Marr Chase, TE Kyle Pitts and OT Penei Sewell – won’t be included, all other players at all positions will be considered potential targets for Bill Belichick and his staff. Today brings a look at a modern Fighting Irish defender.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
LB Notre Dame
6-2, 221
Resume: Owusu-Koramoah (pronounced oh-WOO-sue COR-ah-MO-uh) was a versatile star on the basketball court and the football field at Allen Iverson’s alma mater, Bethel (Hampton, Va.) High School. … He played wide receiver and Wildcat QB on offense while flying around as a safety, linebacker and cornerback on defense. … Was recruited on both sides of the ball before eventually flipping from an early Virginia commitment to Notre Dame. … Also received college basketball scholarship offers. … Red shirted as a 17-year-old freshman for the Irish. … After missing most of 2018 with a foot injury, Owusu-Koramoah broke out to lead the Irish in tackles (80), TFLs (13.5) and sacks (5.5) while adding two forced fumbles and four passes defensed in 13 starts in 2019. … Was as good or better in 2020 when he won the Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker while earning All-American and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors. … Had 62 tackles, 11 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four passes defensed and an interception last fall. … Utilized his explosive ability as a hybrid safety/linebacker playmaker in a rover role for the Irish.
Pre-Draft Buzz: The Athletic writes that Owusu-Koramoah is known as a “workout junkie” who “projects as a high-ceiling, chess-piece defender.” … Certainly looked the part at his Irish pro day. … As always with players of such unique skills/size, there are questions as to whether he’s a man without a true position in the NFL. The Ringer notes this while comparing Owusu-Koramoah to Seahawks All-Pro Jamal Adams, writing that the defender is easy to find on tape because he’s “the most electric player on the field.” … Not afraid of contact and brings the thunder as a violent hitter and playmaker.
… NFL.com’s player profile compares him to Chargers do-it-all defensive back Derwin James. … Beyond just being able to run all over the field chasing down plays, Owusu-Koramoah is a dangerous blitzer with the ability to drop into coverage on linebackers and tight ends. … NFL.com slotted Owusu-Koramoah at the No. 15 overall pick in its most recent mock draft.
Why Owusu-Koramoah fits the Patriots’ needs: A smart, physical, versatile, explosive defensive playmaker thought to be a chess piece to put to use against modern NFL offenses? Why wouldn’t Owusu-Koramoah be an attractive prospect for Belichick? Even though the Patriots took a player with some similar characteristics with their first pick last spring in Kyle Dugger, New England has always believed in collecting talented players even if there is some overlap. In a draft seemingly dominated by quarterbacks and offensive players, Owusu-Koramoah is one of the most talented, unique defensive options likely to be on the board in the middle of the first round come draft night.
