Dawgs By Nature
25 questions with one of GM Andrew Berry’s key signings
After the 2024 NFL season, the Cleveland Browns had a few personnel issues with the defense. There were one or two concerns regarding a small group of players who were injured, such as linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, among others.
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While the offensive structure had lots of problems and question marks, the defense was returning most of its starters. Their list of free agents was assumed to be destined to be re-signed as both starters and quality depth.
But the safety room took several hits. For one, their coach on the field, Rodney McLeod, retired after 13 seasons. Developmental player D’Anthony Bell up and signed with the Seattle Seahawks. And then Juan Thornhill was released with a year left on his contract. That left Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman as the only safeties on the roster.
It was assumed that Browns GM Andrew Berry would select a safety early in the college draft, but not only did the first three rounds come and go without new safety help, so did the entire draft. Berry then signed three free agent players and one undrafted rookie to the safety room: veterans Damontae Kazee and Rayshawn Jenkins, cornerback/safety Nik Needham, and undrafted rookies Donovan McMillan and Chris Edmonds.
Kazee (5’-11”, 190 pounds) is a seven-year veteran who has led the league in interceptions. He is a fine tackler and has no problems sticking his neck out to stop the run. He wasn’t hired by the Browns to come in and help the special teams unit or be a mentor to the younger players. Kazee has arrived to be on the field and produce. It’s what he does best. He can socialize after the game.
He grew up in San Bernardino, California, and played running back and cornerback, plus basketball, and ran track at Cajon High School. He was named All-Conference in football three consecutive seasons.
One of five children, his brother Walter played running back for San Diego State, which is what Kazee aspired to be just as successful. He chose a scholarship at the University of Washington, but later changed his college choice to San Diego State where they switched him from cornerback to safety.
In college, he was named First Team All-Mountain West Conference his final two seasons after being selected Second Team All-MWC his sophomore year. In all, Kazee had 238 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 30 batted passes, five forced fumbles, and a whooping 17 interceptions. Yes, not a typo.
His eight interceptions in 2015 led the conference and were ranked second in the nation, one off the leader. In 2016, Kazee’s seven picks also led the conference and were tied for the third most in the nation.
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The Mountain West Conference issues five awards annually at the conclusion of each college football season. In Kazee’s junior year, one of those awards came his way with...
