Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng started to speak his goals into existence. The 2025 class four-star linebacker from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy’s reputation as the younger half-brother of former Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is already well-received.
The influence of Owusu-Boateng’s family connection on his college football recruitment has always been a topic of speculation. However, he addressed it on Thursday.
The On3 Industry Ranking’s No. 61 overall player and No. 4 linebacker in the class joined Phillip Dukes on the Five-Star Flex show on YouTube. He discussed his background, relationship with his older half-brother and summer official visits to USC, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
When Owusu-Boateng described his older brother to the listeners, he not only provided a glimpse into his family’s football legacy but also subtly hinted at the heights he aspires to reach, igniting excitement about his future feats.
“My brother won the Butkus (Award) at Notre Dame,” Owusu-Boateng told Dukes. “All-American honors and all that. He plays for the Cleveland Browns right now as the starting linebacker — No. 6.”
As a recruit, Owusu-Koramoah held a much less prominent profile than his younger brother. “JOK” was a four-star ranked as the No. 351 overall player, No. 37 linebacker nationally and No. 12 prospect in Virginia in the 2017 recruiting class.
His most notable offers were from Notre Dame, Michigan State, NC State, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Wake Forest and Washington State. He signed with the Irish, earned the collegiate accolades Owusu-Boateng spoke about and went No. 52 overall to the Browns in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In doing so, he established the marks Owusu-Boateng hopes to eclipse.
“That adds no pressure at all,” he said. “If anything, it really excites me. Just to know I can beat every record he had and knowing I can do better than he did. He challenges me to do better than what he is doing because he laid the foundation for me to build off that.”
If Owusu-Boateng wants to exceed every one of his brother’s accomplishments, that would entail playing for Notre Dame to knock down all of his achievements there. Still, Owusu-Boateng did not disclose whether his brother has influenced him to choose one way.
“He has been through the process already,” Owusu-Boateng said. “Coaches are going to tell you what they will tell you. Knowing that you really have to talk to family and take each day step by step. Not rushing anything, but having a sense of mind knowing you go to a place that’s best for you and fits you.”
Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng breaks down why the four schools he is officially visiting could sign him
Owusu-Boateng will officially visit four schools next month to make progress toward finding a place that best suits him. He explained to Dukes why Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State and USC each have the chance to win his recruitment.
“Notre Dame: That’s family right there. If I went there, I’d just be carrying on the legacy. Knowing what (defensive coordinator) Coach Al Golden is doing for the program right now, and Coach Free (Marcus Freeman) is always calling my phone, pouring love and just showing that he really cares about me. He wants me to come and be part of the Irish family.
“Then, going back to the development piece, knowing you’re going to get developed and really coached. Coach Max Bullough, the linebackers coach, he played the position. So it’s just that you will be coached by those guys and playing good football each week.
USC: “If I signed with that school, I’d say the reason why I signed is because of the countless opportunities they have. Knowing that they have the No. 1 business school and I want to major in business going into my college career [is big]. And knowing that L.A. is a big marketplace, I can really market myself there, knowing I’m my own brand.
“Also just knowing that Coach (Lincoln) Riley hired a whole new defensive coaching staff with Coach (Matt) Entz as the DC and stuff like that — just having a great connection with him. And then knowing the plans they have for me to come in, compete and earn that starting spot early.”
Michigan: “Just going up to Ann Arbor, I think I was up there two weeks ago. Going there and talking to Coach (Sherrone) Moore, talking to Coach BJ (Brian Jean-Mary) and Coach Wink (Martindale), their DC has major NFL experience. Knowing that (Martindale) coached for the Giants, he’s been with the Ravens — he coached Ray Lewis and countless superstars.
“I like knowing that you’re going to get developed and going into a system that knows how to win. NFL scouts love to scout players that love to win, so you want to go somewhere that has good academics, a good strength and conditioning coach and know that you’re going to get developed by one of the best coaches.”
Ohio State: I just came back from an Ohio State visit last weekend. (Linebackers) Coach (James) Laurinitis is a great guy. And (defensive coordinator) Coach (Jim) Knowles, their DC, just sitting down and talking to him about where he envisions me and knowing that he sees me as a player who can attack the game fiercely. He sees me coming in and playing like a WILL position.
“I like knowing what opportunities they have outside of football, too. All four schools I’m taking OVs to, they really characterize development and life after football. Not only that, but you come into these programs and I really don’t feel like I have to compromise something, and that’s my big piece in this.
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