This Cleveland Browns rookie has received a rather weird compliment a former NFL player.
While most of the focus has been on the Cleveland Browns rookie quarterbacks this season, they have another first-year player who has actually been playing incredible football: linebacker Carson Schwesinger.
Schwesinger has racked up 96 tackles, 1.5 sacks and a couple of interceptions while managing a solid 69.1 overall grade at Pro Football Focus.
It's rate that middle linebackers garner significant attention in a modern NFL that mainly prioritizes edge rushers, but Schwesinger is breaking the mold.
Former NFL offensive lineman Ross Tucker went out of his way to rave about Schwesinger during a recent appearance on the Ultimate Cleveland Sports Show, always paying him a rather odd compliment in the meantime.
“If I had to buy one Browns jersey right now that I feel really good about for a decade plus, it’s Carson Schwesinger," Tucker said. "... Super impressive kid. I mean, bioengineering major at UCLA. He’s got phenomenal hair. ... It’s like flowing locks of hair. That guy is in a really good spot for the next 10+ years."
Cleveland Browns linebacker Carson Schwesinger. Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images.Well, we know that Tucker loves Schwesinger's play on the field and apparently his hair. Good to know.
Tucker then went on to cite how Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz likened the 22-year-old to legendary linebacker Ray Lewis.
"Schwartz has given him incredible praise, saying that mentally, he’s where Ray Lewis was his third year,” Tucker added.
Comparing Schwesinger to arguably the greatest middle linebacker of all-time certainly seems to be a bit premature, but let's remember that Schwartz was the Baltimore Ravens' linebackers coach during the early days of Lewis' career, so he is speaking from experience.
Cleveland surprised some people when it took Schwesinger in the second round of the NFL Draft last April, especially considering how many other needs it had up and down the roster. Schwesinger was also a late riser in the draft after being a relative unknown heading into his final collegiate campaign.
But it seems like the Browns made a great decision with the Moorpark, Ca. native.
Cleveland is 3-8 on the season and will face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday afternoon.