Notre Dame in the NFL: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah dominates despite loss

The Texans demolished the Browns in Saturday’s Wild Card game, winning 45-14 and advancing to the divisional round of the AFC playoffs. There was only one bright spot for Cleveland, and he wears No. 6. It’s the same number he wore for Notre Dame.

Former Irish linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was all over the field, totaling 9 tackles. A whopping 8 of them were run stops, or tackles that result in a failure for the offense, and he finished with 4 tackles for loss.

Beyond the numbers, some of Owusu-Koramoah’s tape from this game is simply bonkers. Blink, and you’ll miss him fly toward the football.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s closing speed is INSANE💨 pic.twitter.com/LK4JHn9TgG

— Kendell Hollowell (@KHollowell_) January 15, 2024

Owusu-Koramoah’s specialty is that sideline-to-sideline speed, but he also made plays between the tackles.

Every #Cowboys content creator that’s also a draftnik with the collective “told you so” as LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah hunts.

As always, Linebackers come in different sizes. But if he’s a LB, he’s a LB. Don’t let size fool you. pic.twitter.com/yhP6FDrCgi

— Dominic White (@DomWWhite) January 13, 2024

In his third NFL season, Owusu-Koramoah compiled 101 tackles, 20 (!!!) tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 6 passes defended, 2 interceptions and a forced fumble. He’s become a dominant force on Cleveland’s defense, and he projects as one for years to come.

Here’s how every other former Notre Dame player in the NFL did in Wild Card Weekend.

Brandon Aubrey (played for Notre Dame from 2013-16), K, Dallas Cowboys

Result: 48-32 loss to Packers

Aubrey made his lone field-goal attempt but missed 1 of his 2 PATs.

Aaron Banks (2017-20), OL, San Francisco 49ers

Result: BYE

Miles Boykin (2015-18), WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Result: 31-17 loss to Bills

Boykin played 5 snaps and was not targeted.

Chase Claypool (2016-19), WR, Miami Dolphins

Result: 26-7 loss to Chiefs

Claypool played 4 snaps and was not targeted.

Liam Eichenberg, (2016-20), OL, Miami Dolphins

Result: 26-7 loss to Chiefs

Eichenberg allowed a sack and 3 additional pressures, finishing with a 44.8 Pro Football Focus offense grade.

Robert Hainsey (2017-20), OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Result: 32-9 win over Eagles

Data from Monday night’s game is not available yet, but it’s safe to assume Hainsey played well. Very few Buccaneers didn’t.

Kyle Hamilton (2019-21), S, Baltimore Ravens

Result: BYE

Kurt Hinish (2017-21), DT, Houston Texans

Result: 45-14 win over Browns

Hinish picked up a sack (and allegedly hit the griddy?). He’s becoming a valuable contributor for the Texans’ defense.

Zack Martin (2009-13), OL, Dallas Cowboys

Result: 48-32 loss to Packers

Martin allowed 2 pressures and was given a 52.3 PFF offense grade.

Sam Mustipher (2014-18), OL, Baltimore Ravens

Result: BYE

Julian Okwara (2016-19), EDGE, Detroit Lions

Result: 24-23 win over Rams

Okwara was a healthy scratch.

Romeo Okwara (2012-15), DL, Detroit Lions 

Result: 24-23 win over Rams

Okwara made 1 tackle but was also credited with 2 missed tackles.

Ben Skowronek (2020), WR, Los Angeles Rams

Result: 24-23 loss to Lions

Skowronek caught his lone target for 5 yards.

Durham Smythe (2013-17), TE, Miami Dolphins

Result: 26-7 loss to Chiefs

Smythe caught 3 of his 4 targets but gained only 12 yards.

Ronnie Stanley (2012-15), OL, Baltimore Ravens

Result: BYE

Drue Tranquill (2014-18), LB, Kansas City Chiefs 

Result: 26-7 win over Dolphins

Tranquill made 4 tackles, one of which was a defensive stop.

Kyren Williams (2019-21), RB, Los Angeles Rams

Result: 24-23 loss to Lions

Williams was held under 100 yards from scrimmage (not counting games missed due to injury) for the first time since Oct. 8. An incredible streak came to an end, but Williams still carried 13 times for an efficient 61 yards (4.7 yards per carry).

Brock Wright (2017-20), TE, Detroit Lions

Result: 24-23 win over Rams

Wright played for the first time since Dec. 16, mostly as a run blocker. He was not targeted but did well in the run game (70.2 PFF run-blocking grade).

Former Notre Players who did not make the playoffs

• Vikings defensive tackle Sheldon Day
• Saints defensive end Isaiah Foskey
• Chargers safety Alohi Gilman
• Saints kicker Blake Grupe
• Panthers long snapper J.J. Jansen
• Bears tight end Cole Kmet
• Seahawks safety Julian Love
• Raiders tight end Michael Mayer
• Giants cornerback Nick McCloud
• Broncos offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey
• Colts offensive lineman Quenton Nelson
• Vikings safety Harrison Smith
• Bears wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown
• Raiders defensive lineman Jerry Tillery
• Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble

Former Notre Dame players on injured reserve

• Falcons EDGE Ade Ogundeji (foot/ankle)
• Lions LS Scott Daly (knee)
• Texans C Jarrett Patterson (ankle)

Former Notre Dame players on NFL practice squads

• Cardinals RB Tony Jones Jr.
• Panthers S Matthias Farley
• Bears DE Khalid Kareem
• Lions S Brandon Joseph
• Texans CB Troy Pride Jr.
• Saints OL Tommy Kraemer
• Steelers S Jalen Elliott
• Steelers LB Jaylon Smith