CLEVELAND — Entering the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, one of the players the Cleveland Browns were linked to was Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
And while the Browns ultimately selected Notre Dame cornerback Greg Newsome II with the No. 26 pick, they still managed to land Owusu-Koramoah, trading up in the second round to select him with the No. 52 overall pick in the second round.
The recipient of the 2020 Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top linebacker, Owusu-Koramoah totaled 62 tackles, 11 of which came for a loss and 1 interception for the Fighting Irish last season. At 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds, the 21-year-old is considered a 'tweener' linebacker, capable of playing in the box or handling coverage duties at the nickel position.
In adding Owusu-Koramoah, Browns general manager Andrew Berry continues his offseason overhaul of Cleveland's defense, which has also included the signings of safety John Johnson III, cornerback Troy Hill, defensive end Takkarist McKinley, linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., defensive tackle Malik Jackson and Jadeveon Clowney, as well as the selection of Newsome in the first round on Thursday night. In coming to Cleveland, the 2020 unanimous All-American selection joins a Browns linebacking corps that also includes Sione Takitaki, Jacob Phillips, Malcolm Smith, Mack Wilson and Walker.
In order to move up to acquire Owusu-Koramoah, the Browns traded the Carolina Panthers the No. 59 pick and a 2021 third-round selection (No. 89 overall). In return, Cleveland received the No. 52 pick and a 2021 fourth-round selection (No. 113 overall).