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Green Bay Packers: 3 Potential Linebacker Prospects for 2021 NFL Draft

By Isaac Greig

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 16: Tight end Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators tries to avoid a tackle by linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers second quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 16: Tight end Kyle Pitts #84 of the Florida Gators tries to avoid a tackle by linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers second quarter at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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Green Bay Packers
SOUTH BEND, IN – OCTOBER 12: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah #6 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in action on defense during a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 12, 2019 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated USC 30-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame, Senior

Coming into his second starting season as a true Senior, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is looking to build on a successful 2019 season from Notre Dame’s “Rover” position. At 6’ 1”, 215 pounds, the versatile Koramoah was effective at every level of the field. He recorded 80 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 4 passes defended.

He uses his hands as well as any off-ball linebacker in this class and has long arms to match. This helps keep blockers off him and increases his range as a tackler, both in space and in the box. Koramoah does a great job coming downhill and playing behind his pads. He has elite instincts against the run and sideline-to-sideline mobility. Couple that with his versatility and Koramoah really is everywhere on the field.

Koramoah shows great strength in press coverage. He will consistently knock timing routes off pace and can easily mirror college slot receivers. Koramoah has surprising pass-rushing skills for a man of his size. His ability to move pre-snap, from slot to edge, and perfectly time the snap is a thing of beauty. He uses his hands, quickness, and flexibility to keep separation, bend the corner, and pursue the quarterback.

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However, athletic tackles can stonewall Koramoah’s pass-rush. In zone coverage, he will too often give the receiver a step and doesn’t have the jump on the ball to consistently contest the catch. If Koramoah doesn’t get bigger, he’ll be a ragdoll in NFL trenches, but he has room to add good weight and improve his ability to hold a run fit.

If Koramoah can keep his athleticism at 225+ pounds, he’ll be able to operate in the NFL in the same way that he did for the Irish in 2019. Koramoah was asked to rush the passer from the edge, stop the run, cover tight ends and running backs, and spy the quarterback, while balancing snaps between centerfield, slot corner, nickel linebacker, and edge rusher. No matter what he was asked to do, Koramoah was efficient and productive.

I can count on one hand the number of players in the NFL with that kind of versatility. Mike Pettine is the type of coordinator who would love to dial-up pass-rush and coverage schemes with a guy like him. If Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah can gain some weight and maintain his level of production, he would provide great value for the Green Bay Packers as a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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