LOCALS IN THE NFL
Sione Takitaki In Browns Two-Deep, Receives Nickname From ‘OBJ’
CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland Browns released their depth chart heading into week two action of the NFL preseason schedule.
A familiar name to locals here in the state of Utah checked in as the number two middle linebacker.
Former BYU star and now Browns rookie Sione Takitaki is listed as Cleveland’s second-string middle linebacker in preparation for the Browns game against the Colts this Saturday.
Our unofficial depth chart heading into #CLEvsIND pic.twitter.com/X3ff9jzxac
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) August 13, 2019
Last week, Takitaki was the Browns starting MIKE linebacker in replace of Joe Schobert who was out due to personal reasons. Takitaki recorded three tackles in the starting role.
Takitaki is currently in front of fellow rookie Dedrick Young out of Nebraska. Young was an undrafted free agent pickup for the Browns.
The former BYU standout is one of only four rookies to be in the Browns two-deep heading into week two of the preseason. The other three are cornerback Greedy Williams -the Browns highest draft selection in the 2019 NFL Draft-, right guard Willie Wright who was an undrafted free agent out of Tulsa, and fellow WILL linebacker Mack Wilson out of Alabama. Wilson was a fifth-round selection in the Browns recent draft class this past April, Takitaki was selected in the third round.
Takitaki and Wilson have formed a close bond in Browns Training Camp that has even caught the eye of Cleveland’s star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
According to Takitaki’s teammate Mack Wilson, “OBJ” is calling the tandem of Takitaki and Wilson “Mack-A-Tak” or “Frick and Frack.”
Mack-A-Tak or Frick and Frack (@obj) calls us that. 😂 🔥 #BashBrothers #DaRooks pic.twitter.com/7L5IRYuV9U
— Mack Wilson (@5mackwilson1) August 7, 2019
To catch the eye of OBJ, Takitaki has to be doing something right. It shows with where he stands on the current Browns depth chart.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
