Notre Dame coaches called Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah a rover in their 2020 defense.
But he took up a linebacker’s roster spot and entered the NFL Draft with that label.
That didn’t stop most analysts from projecting him as a safety.
And they couldn’t resist mentioning his slot corner abilities, either.
Kevin Stefanski’s reaction after the Browns traded up for Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is something (via Building the Browns) pic.twitter.com/V3a4eJp0Vu
— Ben Axelrod (@BenAxelrod) May 9, 2021
Shortly after the Cleveland Browns selected JOK in the second round, Kevin Stefanski called him a linebacker.
But that didn’t stop pundits from describing his safety, corner, and even edge rusher potential.
And now, in the team’s rookie mini-camp, Owusu-Koramoah is learning the WILL (weak-side linebacker) role.
But Stefanski and defensive coordinator Joe Woods aren’t fooling anyone.
We know Owusu-Koramoah isn’t just a linebacker.
#Browns Greg Newsome II on Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: "It's going to be so much fun playing with a guy like that…I think we'll work very well together."
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) May 14, 2021
And listening to the rookie describe his understanding of the Browns defense verifies it.
“Going into this defense, there’s a lot of disguises and a lot of things that Coach is doing within the defense that I think just me and my versatility are used perfectly within the defense in terms of its principals and what he is looking for.”
A lot of disguises, like making JOK look like a simple linebacker, but using his versatility…
That sounds like a “linebacker” who can jump into a safety, slot, or pass rusher position.
You know, kind of like a rover.
JOK Sees Himself As A Perfect Fit In Browns Defense
Of course, Joe Woods will use Owusu-Koramoahin a chameleon-like role.
If the defensive coordinator had his way, every player would be so adaptable.
#Browns Jeremiah Owusu- Koramoah said his play and versatility seems to fit perfectly with Joe Woods' defense from what he's seen so far.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) May 14, 2021
The rest of JOK’s conversation with the media gives a different point of view on his WILL training.
“It’ll be similar but not too similar to the position I was playing at Notre Dame. It will be a WILL linebacker and that’s kind of where I’m working at right now. That’ll add more to it, but for right now, that’s what I’m studying.”
So Woods and Stefanski aren’t limiting their prized draft pick to a particular role.
#Browns Jeremiah Owusu- Koramoah said the Chiefs are a really good team but they're going to focus on themselves heading into the game and he's going to focus on being the best he can be.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) May 14, 2021
They are adding to it and making sure the youngster learns the basics before they throw in the tricky stuff.
Woods has to be ecstatic to have players like JOK, Jadeveon Clowney, and Grant Delpit who can switch positions out of the huddle.
It might be one season later than he hoped, but such versatility is key to his fast and flexible scheme.
Delpit can play safety, slot, or like a linebacker and Clowney can play from the edge or inside.
#Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has the second best betting odds to win DROTY, per @FDSportsbook.
— Noah Weiskopf (@BrownsWithNoah) May 12, 2021
But in a defense with a lot of movement, Owusu-Koramoah projects to be the player moving around the most.
“There’s a lot of disguises and a lot of things that Coach is doing within the defense that I think just me and my versatility are used perfectly within the defense in terms of what he is looking for,” said JOK. “I think I fit right in.”
Joe Woods might be the first to agree.
NEXT: Myles Garrett Has Impressive Historical Stat Among Sack Leaders
