2021 NFL Draft: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is perfect modern linebacker

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is an ideal fit for the modern NFL and will be valued early in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is taking his game to the next level this season and is quickly becoming a fast riser in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Owusu-Koramoah was absolutely incredible for the Irish in their massive win last weekend against top-ranked Clemson, piling up nine total tackles (2.5 for loss and .5 sack) and also forcing and returning a fumble for a touchdown.

Owusu-Koramoah was a major part of their big win and is improving his 2021 NFL Draft stock each and every week. A converted safety, Owusu-Koramoah’s impressive athleticism immediately stands out on tape. He is a quick and explosive linebacker who closes ground extremely quickly and is a legitimate impact player against the run and the pass.

Nothing is more important in the modern NFL than speed and Owusu-Koramoah has plenty. He is quick and smooth in coverage and closes on ball carriers in an instant. Owusu-Koramoah is also an  impact player in the blitz game, doing a fantastic job of disguising his blitzes and using his explosive speed to create pressure on the passer in an instant.

Simply put, Owusu-Koramoah is a perfect fit for the modern NFL and will undoubtedly demand the attention of scouts and general managers next April. Some will question Owusu-Koramoah’s size, as he is currently listed at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds. However, he has seemed to have had added a bit of weight this season and I would imagine that he is actually a bit heavier than his listed weight.

Regardless of his listed weight, Owusu-Koramoah’s explosive speed and athleticism allows him to generate a ton of natural power in his game. He is never going to be a guy who wants to mix it up with big offensive linemen in the middle, but if Owusu-Koramoah has the space to generate some momentum, he will come in hard and finish will legitimate impact power.

In the past, Owusu-Koramoah would have been looked at as a tweener who has no real position on an NFL defense. That being said, his ability to impact the game in a variety of ways makes him a perfect fit for the modern NFL. Also, his fantastic speed and athleticism more than makes up for any size that he lacks at the position. NFL teams want speed on the field and Owusu-Koramoah brings it in bunches.

If he continues to play at such a high level, Owusu-Koramoah will be an easy first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. He is an impact player who will undoubtedly be on the radar of every team around the league.