Why Akron coach Joe Moorhead said, ‘Oh, no!’ when the Browns drafted Martin Emerson – Terry Pluto

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis.

Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks (16) tries to make a catch in front of Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson (1) during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark.

Auburn wide receiver Kobe Hudson (5) is tackled by Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala.

Mississippi State safety Collin Duncan (19) celebrates his interception of a Missouri pass with teammate cornerback Martin Emerson (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2019, in Starkville, Miss.

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis.

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis.

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis.

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson (1) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark.

White wide receiver Geor'quarius Spivey (11) battles Maroon cornerback Martin Emerson (1) for a pass that was ruled incomplete during the first half of Mississippi State's Maroon and White NCAA college football game, Saturday, April 17, 2021, in Starkville, Miss. T

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis.

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis.

Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) warms up before an NCAA football game against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn.

Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) recovers a blocked field goal against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala.

Mississippi State defensive back Martin Emerson runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 6, 2022, in Indianapolis.

Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) rests after a drill during warmups before an NCAA football game against Memphis on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Memphis, Tenn.

Auburn wide receiver Kobe Hudson (5) is tackled by Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Auburn, Ala.

Tulsa wide receiver Keylon Stokes (2) runs the ball past Mississippi State cornerback Martin Emerson (1) during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, in Fort Worth, Texas.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – “Oh, no!!!”

That’s what new Akron football coach Joe Moorhead yelled when the Browns drafted Martin Emerson in the third round.

I called Moorhead because he recruited Emerson to Mississippi State. He also was the head coach of the Bulldogs during Emerson’s freshman season.

“Oh, no!!!” I repeated.

“Oh, no!!!” he said.

Then he explained.

“I grew up a Steelers fan,” said Moorhead. “I love Martin. That kid is really good. He’s going to make it tough on Pittsburgh. I’m telling you, the Browns are going to love Martin.”

Moorhead was born in Pittsburgh and began his college coaching career at Pitt, so you can understand the affinity for the Steelers, But now, he has even more reason to pay attention to the Browns.

Moorhead and Mississippi State won a tough recruiting battle for Emerson, a three-star recruit at Pine Forest High in Pensacola, Florida.

“I really wanted him,” said Moorhead. “He comes from a great family. His dad (Martin Emerson Sr.) is a terrific person. The young man is disciplined. He’s a good student. It came down to us, Oregon and Miami.”

Emerson played 13 games as a true freshman, including five starts.

Former Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead recruited Martin Emerson to the SEC school.

DESTINED FOR THE NFL

“It didn’t take long to realize he was going to play on Sundays (in the NFL),” said Moorhead. “He’s 6-foot-2. He’s athletic and long. He can play in press coverage or off coverage. That length is really going to help him in the NFL.”

Moorhead was fired after Emerson’s freshman year. Moorhead moved to Oregon, where he was the offensive coordinator in 2020-2021 before being named Akron’s head coach in January of 2022.

Emerson remained at Mississippi State for two more years before entering the NFL draft this spring. Moorhead still stays in touch with Emerson, usually by text.

“I heard he’d go in the second round,” said Moorhead. “He’s that good. He has the self-discipline, work ethic and intelligence to be successful. His family is very supportive. He comes from a great situation.”

Emerson made the SEC Academic Honor Roll at Mississippi State.

University of Akron President Gary L. Miller (left) with new football coach Joe Moorhead and athletic director Charles Guthrie.

CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH

There are a lot of analytics about how teams rarely threw in Emerson’s direction.

The Browns had him targeted as a low second-round pick. They thought he’d slip into the third round when they traded the No. 44 pick to Houston and dropped into the third round.

They grabbed Emerson with the No. 68 selection.

“You can never have enough cornerbacks,” said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski during the draft.

The Browns have two strong starting cornerbacks in Greg Newsome II and Denzel Ward. They also like Greedy Williams.

But the front office knows all those players have dealt with injuries. I was told by an NFL executive that defensive back has the highest injury rate of any position in the NFL.

“If you are banged-up or don’t have depth (at cornerback)...you are really holding your breath from play to play,” said GM Andrew Berry during the draft.

Moorhead believes playing in the SEC – especially the SEC West – is the best preparation for the NFL.

“He’s already faced a lot of great players who are in the NFL or will be,” said the coach. “This is an awesome opportunity for him. He’s a great kid from a great family. I’m so happy for him.”

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