Michigan linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng can play a big role in the heart of the defense for years to come. Today, we look at what makes him special and how he will fit in Ann Arbor:
While much of the hype in Michigan’s 2025 class has come from the offensive side of the ball with quarterback Bryce Underwood, and offensive linemen Andrew Babalola and Ty Haywood, don’t sleep on the defenders in this class. Guys like cornerback Shamari Earls, edge rusher Nate Marshall and others can make a lasting impact in the years to come, but today, we’re going to focus on four-star linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng .
The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder from IMG Academy is the younger brother of former Notre Dame standout Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who now plays linebacker for the Cleveland Browns . Much like his brother, Owusu-Boateng is a heat-seeking missile. He has excellent instincts and demonstrates legitimate sideline-to-sideline speed. He tackles angry and has an overall mean streak to his game. He also has smooth hip fluidity, which should help in pass coverage as well.
As you can see on his Hudl film , Owusu-Boateng’s tackling form is already refined, and he does a great job of staying low while maintaining elite closing speed. He’s slightly undersized right now, but a full slate of offseason workouts should get his playing weight closer to 220 pounds.
The Wolverines love to run two-linebacker sets, and this forces them to be rangy in the run game and disciplined in coverage. The program has produced a great group of linebackers lately, featuring Junior Colson, Mike Barrett and Ernest Hausmann.
With Hausmann, Jaishawn Barham and Jaydon Hood all out of eligibility after 2025, there will be plenty of room to climb the depth chart.
It seems like Owusu-Boateng is a better fit as a SAM or WILL for now, but there is always potential to move around the second layer of the defense. He is probably not an immediate impact player due to the players ahead of him, but his raw skills and apparent eventual path to the starting lineup should excite the Maize and Blue faithful.
Owusu-Boateng also had a legendary commitment video, where he seemed particularly intentional about which hats he touched. Clearly, he got the rivalry memo.
This was … interesting.
Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng put on 3 different hats, then finally put on a Michigan cap and announced his commitment to the Wolverines.
The one hat he did not touch: Ohio State. pic.twitter.com/vTMn2gTHXH
— MA Alter (@MarloweAlter) December 4, 2024
“Another reason why I chose Michigan is not just because of the football, but life after football, right? Because when you’re done with football, what are you gonna do?” Owusu-Boateng said. “Life after football at Michigan is amazing. Academics are amazing. Life after football is amazing.”
In may not be until 2026, but look for Owusu-Boateng to be a legitimate piece of the defense at some point in his Michigan career.