Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Bio
Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw (born November 4, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed around 220 pounds, he plays the weak-side linebacker position and is widely regarded for his speed, coverage ability, and tackling consistency. After starring at the University of Notre Dame, he was selected by the Browns in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft and quickly emerged as a defensive cornerstone. In 2023, he was named to the Pro Bowl, cementing his status among the league’s top young defenders.
Known to teammates and fans simply as JOK, Owusu-Koramoah has built a reputation for pairing sideline-to-sideline range with sharp instincts in pass coverage. His combination of athleticism and football intelligence has drawn comparisons to some of the modern game’s most versatile linebackers. Off the field, he is recognized for embracing his Ghanaian heritage through community work and traditional African attire.
Early Life and Background
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was born on November 4, 1999, in Hampton, Virginia. He grew up in the same coastal Virginia city, where he attended Bethel High School and first developed his love for the game of football. His upbringing blended athletic discipline with strong cultural roots, shaping both his work ethic and his sense of identity.
He is of Ghanaian descent through his father Andrew, who met his wife Beverly in England before the family relocated to Virginia in 1998. This multicultural background gave Owusu-Koramoah an early appreciation for heritage and family tradition, themes that continue to influence his personal life and charitable outreach. The family settled in Hampton just a year before his birth, grounding his early years in a stable community that fostered his athletic interests.
Path to American Football
Owusu-Koramoah starred at Bethel High School, where his play at the linebacker position began to attract regional attention. Rated as a three-star recruit, he initially committed to play college football at the University of Virginia in 2016 before reversing that decision to join Notre Dame. The shift to a national program offered a stronger stage to showcase his skills against top-tier competition.
At Notre Dame, his development followed a steady upward arc. He spent his freshman season on the scout team, then missed most of his sophomore year after breaking his foot in practice. Despite those early setbacks, he returned healthy and earned a starting role in his junior campaign, recording 80 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. That breakout season established him as one of the most dynamic linebackers in college football and set the stage for a decorated senior year.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Career
Early Career (2021)
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round, 52nd overall, of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his four-year rookie contract worth $6.5 million on June 6, 2021, and entered training camp with the Browns. After a brief stay on the team’s COVID-19 reserve list, he was activated in early August and quickly worked his way into the defensive rotation.
He recorded his first career sack on Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields in Week 3 of the 2021 season, an early sign of his pass-rushing upside. His rookie year, however, was interrupted by injuries, including an ankle issue that sent him to injured reserve in October and a foot injury in Week 14. Despite the setbacks, he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, validating his promise as a future defensive leader.
NFL Breakthrough (2022–2023)
Healthy and settled into a starting role, Owusu-Koramoah delivered his most complete professional season in 2022, showcasing the coverage skills and tackling reliability that had defined his college profile. His ability to defend tight ends and running backs in the passing game became a weekly asset for the Browns’ defense. By the end of the year, he had clearly established himself as a foundational piece of Cleveland’s defensive scheme.
His ascent peaked in 2023, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl, recognition that confirmed his place among the NFL’s elite linebackers. The honor came on the strength of a season marked by explosive plays in both the run game and pass coverage. The Pro Bowl selection represented a defining moment in his young career and reinforced the Browns’ long-term investment in his development.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024–Present)
On August 14, 2024, Owusu-Koramoah and the Cleveland Browns agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension, locking in the linebacker as a central figure of the defense. The deal reflected his value as a versatile playmaker and a leader in the locker room. The agreement came as the Browns continued building around a young defensive core.
His 2024 season, however, was cut short by a neck injury suffered in Week 8. On May 12, 2025, the Browns placed him on the reserve/PUP list, making him ineligible to play for the entirety of the 2025 NFL season. The organization and Owusu-Koramoah have approached the recovery process with patience, prioritizing his long-term health and future availability.
Driving Style and Strengths
Owusu-Koramoah is widely praised for his range, instincts, and ability to thrive in space. His coverage skills allow the Browns to deploy him in matchups against tight ends and running backs, while his open-field tackling limits yards after catch. He pairs diagnostic awareness with a low center of gravity, making him equally effective against the run and the pass.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his career milestones are his first NFL sack against Justin Fields, his 2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team selection, and his 2023 Pro Bowl honor. His three-year, $39 million contract extension with the Browns in 2024 also stands as a defining moment, signaling the franchise’s commitment to his long-term role.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Career Wins
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s professional résumé features team-based achievements rather than a long list of individual race wins, given his position on defense. His standout honors include a 2023 Pro Bowl selection and a 2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team nod, both of which reflect sustained excellence at the highest level. In college, his trophy case is even more decorated, anchored by one of the most prestigious individual awards in the sport.
Notre Dame Highlights
As a senior in 2020, Owusu-Koramoah won the Butkus Award, given annually to the nation’s top linebacker. He was also named a unanimous All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, while earning First-team All-ACC recognition. His junior campaign produced 80 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks, numbers that previewed his senior-year dominance.
Other Wins and Performances
Owusu-Koramoah’s first NFL sack came against Justin Fields of the Chicago Bears in Week 3 of the 2021 season, a milestone that announced his arrival as a professional pass rusher. He has since delivered multiple standout defensive performances that have shaped outcomes for the Browns in close contests.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is of Ghanaian descent through his father Andrew, who met his wife Beverly in England before the family settled in Hampton, Virginia, in 1998. His multicultural upbringing, blending Ghanaian heritage with American upbringing, has shaped his identity and community involvement. In 2022, he hosted a football camp in Ghana for local youth, reflecting his commitment to giving back to his family’s country of origin.
Personal Life
Owusu-Koramoah is known for celebrating his Ghanaian roots through elaborate African clothing that incorporates traditional patterns and materials. In January 2024, he publicly announced his conversion to Islam. He endured profound personal loss in 2022, when his older brother Joshua Emmanuel Owusu-Koramoah was found dead in a house fire in Hampton. Despite that tragedy, Owusu-Koramoah has continued to honor his family through his platform and charitable efforts.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season represents a recovery chapter for Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and the Cleveland Browns. After suffering a significant neck injury in Week 8 of the 2024 season, he was placed on the reserve/PUP list in May 2025, ruling him out for the entire year. The team framed the decision as a careful, long-term approach to his health, with the franchise committed to his eventual return.
Without Owusu-Koramoah on the field, Cleveland’s defense is expected to lean on younger linebackers and increased contributions from its secondary to offset his absence. His leadership, however, is expected to remain visible in the locker room and meeting rooms throughout the season. The Browns continue to view him as a central figure once he is cleared to return.
Looking beyond 2025, Owusu-Koramoah’s three-year, $39 million extension keeps him under contract through 2027, underscoring the organization’s belief in his long-term value. His recovery timeline will be closely monitored, with hopes that he can return at full strength for the 2026 campaign. When healthy, he remains one of the NFL’s most versatile and impactful young linebackers.