LB, Notre Dame
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 216 lbs
Class: rs-Junior
Owusu-Koramoah has been a key part of Notre Dame’s success this season. He played a big role in their win over Clemson and has been shooting up draft boards for the last few weeks. He’s one of the more versatile defensive players in this draft and one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks.
Strengths
Owusu-Koramoah is an example of the kind of linebacker that the NFL is trending towards. He showcases excellent versatility in Notre Dame’s defense and is comfortable playing a variety of different roles. So far this season he has played 47 per cent of his snaps in the slot, with a further 15 per cent as an edge rusher. Notre Dame have even used him as an outside corner on occasion too.
He’s been effective in all of these roles and in 108 pass-rushing snaps he’s been responsible for 22 pressures. His ability in coverage is perhaps his biggest selling point though and it separates him from a number of other linebackers in this class. He possesses top tier athleticism and 4.4 speed, making him an ideal player for covering in space. He is capable of going man-to-man with receivers and tight ends in the slot and has given up just 114 yards on 18 targets in 2020.
Owusu-Koramoah has the prototypical explosiveness that everyone loves to see from linebackers too and plays the game with a really high motor. He has excellent short area quickness and his hits pack a real punch. He’s already been responsible for 20 defensive stops so far this season and you’ll often see him making clutch plays for the Irish in big moments.
One of the most important traits in a college linebacker is their instincts and Owusu-Koramoah’s are top notch. He showcases excellent football intelligence and his first step is almost always in the right direction. The clip below is from their game against Clemson and illustrate his ability to read and react to the run, making a huge play in the process.
Weaknesses
Owusu-Koramoah is a great player but there are certainly areas where he can improve. His aggressive nature can sometimes be an issue and lead to him taking poor angles. In most cases he can make up for due to his superior athletic ability but that kind of approach won’t cut it in the NFL. He does miss a few tackles as a result – 16 on 114 attempts – but these aren’t bad numbers for a linebacker asked to play in space as much as he is.
His pass-rushing ability off the edge has been excellent at the college level, but this is unlikely to translate to the NFL. He doesn’t have the size or pass-rushing moves to line up against a tackle one-on-one. That said, he should be a really effective blitzing weapon thanks to his short area quickness and explosive potential.
There is also the potential that teams will be unsure about the best fit for Owusu-Koramoah at the next level. At just 216 lbs he is undersized for a conventional linebacker role. The lack of impact from Isaiah Simmons will also have teams second guessing these hybrid linebacker prospects. This is not something Owusu-Koramoah can do much about but it may impact his draft stock.
Bottom Line
Nobody is going to challenge Micah Parsons as the top linebacker in this class, but right now Owusu-Koramoah is the clear No. 2. His versatility and coverage skills will be prized at the next level and having a linebacker with his sideline-to-sideline agility is a must in the modern NFL. If he continues to perform at his current level he could be a top 15 pick in the draft.
Big Board Rank: #16
Positional Rank: #2
