Former Northwestern defensive back Greg Newsome II is off to a great start with the Cleveland Browns.

Newsome earned a starting spot on the depth chart earlier this week, and now has won an award for outstanding training camp performance.

The Browns announced Newsome as the winner of the Maurice Bassett Award, which goes to the team’s top rookie throughout training camp as voted on by local media.

“Greg is doing a nice job competing on the practice field and in these games,” head coach Kevin Stefanski said in the press release. “Understand that he is a rookie, but he is a kid – like I mentioned the other day – who is not making the same mistake twice. He is very diligent about his work.”

Newsome also earned praise from fellow starting cornerback Denzel Ward.

“He has been making plays out here and doing what he is supposed to do,” Ward said in the press release. “He has been doing his job, but he has just been consistent every day with his technique, execution and making plays out there. He can play on the inside in the slot and he can play outside corner. I know the coaches and the team are very excited about that and being able to use him in multiple places. He is definitely ready for all of that.”

The Browns open their 2021 season on the road against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 12.