NOTRE DAME, Indiana — Notre Dame senior linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramaoh has been selected as a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which honors the best defensive player in college football based on character and performance. Owusu-Koramoah is one of 24 national semifinalists.
A preseason All-ACC First Team selection, Owusu-Koramoah has totaled 49 tackles this season, which leads Notre Dame’s defense, also leading the team with 9.0 tackles-for-loss. He has been responsible for forcing multiple turnovers, including an interception, two fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown) and three forced fumbles this season. He has added three pass breakups.
His first-career interception came at Pitt, setting up a Notre Dame touchdown drive. In the win over then-No. 1 Clemson, Owusu-Koramoah posted nine tackles (seven solo), 0.5 sack, 2.0 TFL, one forced fumble and the fumble recovery touchdown, which was the first score of his career. Three plays later, he forced a Clemson fumble, which was also recovered by the Irish.
Owusu-Koramoah ranks tied for seventh among all FBS players with two fumble recoveries this season. He ranks fifth among all ACC players in forced fumbles (0.3 per game) and his 9.0 TFL tie for 16th-most in the ACC
A Butkus Award, Bednarik Award and now Lott IMPACT Trophy semifinalist, Owusu-Koramoah was named Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award Player of the Week, as well as ACC Linebacker of the Week, all for his performance against Clemson. At Pitt, he was named to the Pro Football Focus Team of the Week. He has been tabbed for watch lists for the Nagurski Trophy, in addition to the Butkus, Bednarik and Lott IMPACT watch lists.