NFL Draft Profile: Brian Asamoah II, Linebacker, Oklahoma Sooners

NFL draft profile scouting report for Oklahoma linebacker, Brian Asamoah II

The NFL Draft Bible | Feb 11, 2022

NFL Draft Profile: Brian Asamoah II, Linebacker, Oklahoma Sooners /

#24
Pos: LB
Ht: 6002
Wt: 226
Hand: 1000
Arm: 3258
Wing: 8000
40: 4.56
Bench: 23
3-Cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Vert: 36.5
Broad: 1004
DOB: 3/29/_
Eligible: 2022
Columbus, OH
Saint Francis De Sales High School

Brian Asamoah II
Oklahoma Sooners

One-Liners

An extremely raw prospect who struggles with an impatient playstyle, Brian Asamoah II has jaw-dropping flashes in coverage and against the run; if he learns to slow down, he can be a high-level, scheme-versatile starter.

Pros:

Standing out among some of the best talent in the nation is no easy feat. Brian Asamoah II, though, thrived at the second level of Oklahoma’s defense in 2020 and 2021. The linebacker boasts borderline-elite short-area quickness, change of direction and long speed. He has the range to work to the sideline and the loose frame to make clean transitions. Further, Asamoah has flashed sound spatial awareness and an understanding of route development in zone coverage. The Oklahoma star has the burst and intelligence to leverage routes with sound angles. Moreover, he has the movement skills to handle deep zones. In man coverage, Asamoah’s physicality and movement skills make him a viable option against running backs and tight ends. He quickly recognizes swings and screens. Against the run, the talented defender performs well when he plays patiently. If he avoids prematurely pressing the line, the Sooners’ linebacker scrapes and functionally two-gaps from the second level. He uses his flexible frame and quickness to beat blockers. As a tackler, Asamoah is very physical and easily mirrors ball carriers. He has reliable grip strength and is efficient once ball carriers are within his reach. As a pass rusher, the standout has the burst to shoot gaps and the power to blow up running backs in pass protection. He gives great effort to chase plays down.

Cons:

Despite his top-tier athletic tools, the Oklahoma star linebacker’s impatience has permeated every aspect of his game. For example, Asamoah often bites prematurely on route combinations or abandons his assignment in zone coverage. In man, he practices poor eye discipline; by glancing into the backfield, the Sooners’ standout is slow to react and offers his opponents a blind spot. What’s more, Asamoah’s hands and feet fall out of sync in man coverage when he attempts to play physically. Additionally, the Oklahoma linebacker often bites on play-action and struggles to read the mesh point when defending the option. Against the run or scrambling quarterbacks, the athletic defender exhibits poor gap integrity and guesses too often. He does not play contain properly. Similarly, the Sooners’ star regularly presses the line early and finds himself in no man’s land in pass and run defense. When approaching blockers, Asamoah willingly enters full-man engagement and is easily controlled. He does not have the play strength to break a blocker’s grip. As a tackler, Asamoah takes aggressive angles, approaches the inside leg and rarely breaks down into the tackle point; he is, consequently, unreliable wrapping up and rolling through ball carriers. He needs to improve his pad level against blockers and as a tackler. He appears hesitant working downhill at times.

Summary:

Although his game is plagued by impatience, Brian Asamoah II is an extremely athletic linebacker prospect who has flashed excellence in every facet of the game. While he is still raw, the Sooners’ star can be a very high-level player if he learns to slow down and accumulates more experience. Asamoah currently projects as an immediate special teamer and rotational defender; he has Pro Bowl potential and the athleticism to be a versatile defensive chess piece.

Background:

Born March 29th in Columbus, Ohio, Brian Asamoah II was a two-way star for the St. Francis De Sales football team. In his high school career, the Ohio native recorded 1,697 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns on 248 carries; he also put up two receptions for 90 yards and another touchdown. On defense, Asamoah consistently stood out. In his senior year, he made 36 tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups. His stellar high school career earned him a three-star ranking from 247Sports Composite Rankings. The same outlet named him the 529th-overall player in his class, the 33rd-best outside linebacker in his year and the 22nd-ranked recruit from the state of Ohio. After opting to play for the Sooners, Asamoah did not play in his first year and exercised a redshirt. In his second season, the athletic linebacker played in 13 games. While backing up Kenneth Murray, a future first-round pick, the Columbus product recorded 23 tackles (with five coming on kickoff coverage), 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Asamoah’s playing time, along with his production, saw a steep increase in 2020. The talented defender played in each of the team’s 11 games and started nine. His 66 tackles led the team. Additionally, he made 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, five quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. Asamoah was named Academic All-Big 12 Second Team in 2020. In 2021, his final season with the Sooners, the Columbus native played in 12 games and started 10. In addition to his team-leading 90 tackles, Asamoah put up four tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry and two forced fumbles. In recognition of his outstanding season, the Oklahoma star was named All-Big 12 Second Team by league coaches and the Associated Press. He was also a Butkus Award semifinalist. Asamoah was on the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2021.

Grades

Current Player Value/Potential Player Value

6.8 / 8.8

Floor/Ceiling: Special Teamer and Rotational Backer / Pro Bowl-Level Linebacker

Scheme Fit: Positionally versatile with intriguing WILL traits; scheme-versatile

Grade: 3rd Round

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Published Feb 11, 2022

THE NFL DRAFT BIBLE

NFL Draft Profile: Brian Asamoah II, Linebacker, Oklahoma Sooners

The NFL Draft Bible | Feb 11, 2022

Brian Asamoah II
Oklahoma Sooners

One-Liners

Pros:

Cons:

Summary:

Background:

Grades

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