CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns are bringing back University of Akron star and speedy wide receiver JoJo Natson on a one year deal.
Natson and the Browns agreed to terms on a one-year deal, allowing him the chance to get back on the field for the orange and brown after playing in just three games last season before tearing his ACL.
The injury sidelined Natson for the remainder of the season before he had much of a chance to show fans why the Browns and special teams coordinator Mike Priefer were so excited to have him on the roster.
“I am very happy he is here. He has exceptional quickness. He catches punts and kickoffs very, very well. I studied him, and I knew a little bit about him from the last few years in the league, but you do not get as many reps at seeing him catch the ball and how he tracks the ball. He is very, very good at that, which obviously bodes well for him and for us. His vision is good,” Priefer said before the start of the 2020 season. “We are working on some different things with him to help him be successful more downfield, but he is going to make that first guy miss more than not, and that is the exciting thing about him.”
Natson played for the University of Akron, where he made an immediate impact for the Zips, recording 837 receiving yards with 10 touchdowns and two more touchdowns as a punt returner. His speed and elusiveness impressed at Akron and helped him find his way into the league.
An undrafted free agent, Natson bounced from the Colts to the Jets before landing with the Rams where he became a standout return specialist. The Rams waived Natson in March 2020 and the Browns signed him two weeks later.
In the three games he played for the Browns last year, Natson notched three punt returns for 25 yards and one kick return for 31 yards.
Natson was one of several Browns players who faced free agency but found their way back on the team, including fan-favorite, Rashard Higgins who was re-signed by the Browns Wednesday. The Browns wide receiver room from last season has remained intact with Odell Beckham Jr. returning from injury and KhaDarel Hodge being tendered.
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Camryn Justice is a digital content producer at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on Twitter @camijustice.
