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Home > Blogs > Big C's NFL Blitz > Archives > 2010 > March > 11 > Entry
Bengals and Browns eyeing DB prospect Owusu-Ansah
Every year during draft time you hear about a little-known prospect who is creating a buzz among NFL scouts. You can call these players what you like, sleeper, diamond in the rough or hidden gem. This year is no different. Indiana (Pa.) University defensive back Akwasi Owusu-Ansah is the undisputed Division II talent entering April’s draft.
Owusu-Ansah, a product of Whetstone High School in Columbus, Ohio, has generated a ton of interest since his performance at the scouting combine last month. In fact, a handful of teams lobbied Ohio State University to allow the defensive back to take part in the school’s pro day on Friday. The university obliged and Owusu-Ansah will now showcase his skills along with other Buckeye players.
The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns are among the teams showing interest in Owusu-Ansah.
The 6-foot, 207-pound Owusu-Ansah is a very intriguing prospect. He has size, outstanding speed, quickness, explosion and tremendous ball skills. Owusu-Ansah recorded eight interceptions and 10 pass breakups in 2008, so teams didn’t bother to throw his way this past season.
Aside from being a solid defender at cornerback, Owusu-Ansah is a dangerous return-man. He returned three punts and two kickoffs for touchdowns in ‘09. He ranked in the top 15 in the nation in both kickoff and punt return average.
Owusu-Ansah is very versatile and will likely be moved to safety in the pros where he can better utilize his athletic ability. He shows good change of direction, plays physical and is extremely strong.
I witnessed the player’s strength firsthand during training when he banged out four reps of 315lbs. on the bench press. Owusu-Ansah was fresh off a shoulder injury which kept him out of the East-West Shrine game when he accomplished the feat.
According to his agent Nate Haber, Owusu-Ansah insists on benching tomorrow with a torn labrum in his left shoulder to show scouts his incredible strength.
Let me be the first to call the 4.47 40-yard dash Owusu-Ansah ran in Indianapolis bogus. I’m told that there was no consistency between scout’s times and electronic recording times this year. I learned that several teams clocked Owusu-Ansah in the high 4.3’s. We should learn more about his speed after tomorrow’s workout.
According to IUP defensive backs coach D.K. McDonald, Owusu-Ansah has been heavily scouted by the NFL since his junior season. The coach believes his former student has what it takes to play at the next level.
“The great thing about Akwasi is that he’s very intelligent and extremely coachable, coach McDonald said in a phone interview. “I’m sure he’s going to put in the effort because he has all the tools to do so. He’s a special player who is still learning, but I know he’s going to make things happen.
“Like I told all the scouts and coaches, they’re not going to have any character issues with Akwasi. I’ve talked to every NFL team and many head coaches about Akwasi during this process. This university is extremely proud of Akwasi as a man and what he’s done for us on the football field. I look forward to watching him play on Sundays.”
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Comments
By eric
March 11, 2010 1:06 PM | Link to this
I had the privilege to see him play on saturdays, and all I can say is……wow!! I was part of the ROTC cannon crew, and I knew I would get to fire the cannon for Akwasi every game. It was just a matter of when I would.
By jaybo
March 11, 2010 10:35 PM | Link to this
Woow…great choice!!
By seo lace
May 2, 2010 6:38 PM | Link to this
I can’t reaqd your blog in Firevox 3.4, just figured I might let you know?
By seo lace
May 2, 2010 6:38 PM | Link to this
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