Cleveland Browns sign seventh-round pick Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
By Thomas Moore
Sep 14, 2013; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (14) before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Browns signed seventh-round draft pick Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, the team announced on Thursday.
The Browns selected the 5-foot-9, 194-pound cornerback out of Oregon with the 241st overall selection. Ekpre-Olomu was projected to be a first-round pick before tearing an ACL and dislocating his knee during practice for the Rose Bowl.
Ekpre-Olomu reportedly will not be cleared for football activities until September, meaning he may spend the entire 2015 on injured reserve, but if he can comeback from the injury he is the type of player worth waiting for. He was a consensus All-American and first-team All-Pac-12 selection in 2014, as well as a Jim Thorpe Award finalist as one of the nation’s top defensive backs.
According to his NFL.com draft profile, Ekpre-Olomu is a:
"“Very fluid mover. He can transition like his hips are on a swivel and he has the foot quickness in tight spaces to match. Instinctive and alert. Will transition from man or zone coverage and become a willing tackler against crossing routes that enter his side of the field. Not a robotic defender — adjusts on the fly as plays unfold. Uses the boundary effectively. Doesn’t shy away from tackling. Competitive and won’t prematurely open up out of fear. Tracks the ball effectively and has plus ball skills. Mentally tough and twitchy. Playmaking tendencies. Aggressive for size in press coverage. Has experience outside and in the slot. Projected as an NFL gunner on special teams."
Ekpre-Olomu is also motivated to return to the field and show the other 31 teams that passed on him what they are missing.
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“People doubting you thinking you’re not going to be able to come back and play, you’re not going to be at the level you once were. I think that’s really what motivates you every day,” he told the Brown’s website. “You know what you’re capable of doing. I know how my body feels. You just have to ready to take it day by day and that’s really given me that motivation every day I wake up. Just forget about what happened and what’s going to happen the next day and just focus on what I can improve today.”
The Browns have now signed six of their 12 selections from the 2015 NFL Draft: linebacker Nate Orchard, defensive lineman Xavier Cooper, defensive back Charles Gaines, fullback Malcolm Johnson and tight end Randall Telfer.
First-round selection Danny Shelton has also reportedly signed, but the club has not made an official announcement about a contract.