Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Bio
Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw, born November 4, 1999, in Hampton, Virginia, is an American professional football linebacker for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 2 inches and playing at roughly 221 pounds, he has developed into one of the most athletic linebackers of his draft class. After starring at Notre Dame, where he earned the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker in 2020, Owusu-Koramoah has built his NFL career with the Browns since being selected in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw grew up in Hampton, Virginia, and attended Bethel High School, where he began building the foundation for his football career. He is of Ghanaian descent through his father Andrew, who met his wife Beverly in England before the family relocated to Virginia in 1998. That cross-cultural upbringing shaped both his identity and his perspective on the game.
Rated as a three-star recruit coming out of high school, Owusu-Koramoah initially committed to play college football at the University of Virginia in 2016. He later decommitted and chose the University of Notre Dame instead, a decision that proved pivotal in shaping his path toward becoming a national-caliber defender.
Path to American Football
Owusu-Koramoah’s route to the NFL began at Notre Dame, where he joined the Fighting Irish program and gradually worked his way into a starting role. After a developmental freshman year on the scout team and an injury-shortened sophomore campaign that limited him after a foot fracture, he broke through as a junior by recording 80 tackles, a team-leading 13.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks. Those numbers announced him as one of the most productive linebackers in college football.
As a senior in 2020, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw captured the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker, earned unanimous All-American honors, and was named the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. His combination of sideline-to-sideline range and coverage ability drew strong pre-draft evaluations, leading the Cleveland Browns to select him in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Career
Early Career (2021)
Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw signed his four-year rookie contract, worth $6.5 million, on June 6, 2021, and quickly made an early impact in Cleveland. He opened the season on the COVID-19 reserve list before being activated on August 3, and he recorded his first career sack against Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields in Week 3. The campaign also included two stints on injured reserve due to ankle and foot injuries, yet he still earned recognition on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Cleveland Browns Breakthrough (2022-2023)
Building on his rookie experience, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw emerged as a full-time defensive contributor for the Browns, showcasing the coverage skills and playmaking instincts that had defined his college résumé. His steady growth culminated in a Pro Bowl selection in 2023, validating his status as a centerpiece of the Cleveland defense. He was recognized as one of the league’s most versatile off-ball linebackers, capable of matching up with tight ends and running backs in space.
Cleveland Browns Era (2024-Present)
On August 14, 2024, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw and the Browns agreed to a three-year, $39 million contract extension, underscoring his importance to the franchise. During the 2024 season he suffered a neck injury in Week 8, and on May 12, 2025, Cleveland placed him on the reserve/PUP list, making him ineligible to play for the entirety of the 2025 NFL season. He was once again placed on the reserve/PUP list on May 8, 2026, raising questions about his long-term availability.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw is regarded as a hybrid linebacker whose game thrives on speed, football intelligence, and coverage ability. He excels in space against pass-catching backs and tight ends, and he shows sound tackling fundamentals in run support. His versatility allows Cleveland’s defense to deploy him across multiple alignments, making him a key chess piece on every down.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout moments, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023 and won the prestigious Butkus Award in 2020, joining an elite list of college linebackers. He has recorded 308 total tackles, 8 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 17 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions across his NFL career through 2025. His rookie contract extension and three-year, $39 million deal in 2024 also stand as major financial milestones.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Career Wins
While linebackers are not traditionally measured by win totals, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw has built a résumé anchored by individual accolades and postseason recognition. His Pro Bowl selection in 2023 and his PFWA All-Rookie Team honor in 2021 highlight the most decorated stretches of his professional career.
Cleveland Browns Highlights
During his time in Cleveland, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw has been a consistent presence on defense, producing multiple seasons with strong tackle totals and playmaking numbers. His first career sack against Justin Fields in 2021 set the tone for his early career, while his 2023 Pro Bowl recognition reflected a full season of impact play. The Browns rewarded that production with a significant contract extension in August 2024.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw collected the Butkus Award, unanimous All-American status, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and First-team All-ACC honors in 2020. His junior-year stat line of 80 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks remains one of the most productive single seasons by a Notre Dame linebacker in recent memory.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah Family
Family Background and Heritage
Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw is of Ghanaian descent through his father Andrew, who met his wife Beverly in England before the family moved to Virginia in 1998. In 2022, he ran a youth football camp in Ghana, reflecting his pride in his heritage. He is also known for wearing elaborate clothing styles featuring traditional patterns and materials that celebrate his Ghanaian roots.
Personal Life
His older brother, Joshua Emmanuel Owusu-Koramoah, was found dead inside a burned house on April 5, 2022, and a suspect was later charged with murder and arson. On January 25, 2024, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw converted to Islam, a personal milestone he has spoken about publicly.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season was expected to be another opportunity for Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw to build on his 2023 Pro Bowl form alongside the Cleveland Browns defense. However, following a neck injury suffered in Week 8 of the 2024 season, the Browns placed him on the reserve/PUP list on May 12, 2025, ruling him out for the entirety of the campaign. His absence left a major void in Cleveland’s linebacker corps.
With Owusu-Koramoah sidelined, the Browns leaned on younger linebackers and adjusted their defensive schemes to compensate for the loss of one of their most versatile defenders. Reports during the 2026 offseason suggested that he may never play in another NFL game again, casting uncertainty over his long-term career outlook. The organization placed him back on the reserve/PUP list on May 8, 2026, underscoring the seriousness of his situation.
Looking ahead, Jeremiah Ernest Owusu-Koramoah Yaw’s priority remains recovery, and any return to the field would represent a significant boost for the Cleveland defense. Until then, his legacy with the Browns rests on a Pro Bowl season, a landmark contract extension, and a playing style that helped redefine the modern off-ball linebacker role in Cleveland.
