Browns rookie WR Jamari Thrash has been named the 2024 recipient of the Maurice Bassett Award.
The award was originally created in 1985 in honor of RB Maurice Bassett – who played for the Browns from 1954-56 – and is given to the Browns' most outstanding rookie in training camp, as voted by the media.
Thrash has excelled throughout Browns training camp and the preseason. In the first preseason game against the Packers, Thrash played a majority of the second half. He finished the game with three receptions for 43 yards, and led all the Browns pass catchers. He also caught a deep pass for 22 yards from QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson.
In the second and third preseason games, Thrash continued to showcase his speed and his ability to create separation from defensive backs. He finished the second preseason game against the Vikings with three receptions for 25 yards – the longest being for 15 yards.
"I think he's a guy that takes his job very seriously," head coach Kevin Stefanski said of Thrash on Aug. 17. "He works very hard. He gets extra anytime he's out there. So, I see a young man who's progressing. He's still a rookie, going to make mistakes, but I think he continues to get better with more exposure."
Then, against Seattle in the preseason finale, Thompson-Robinson connected with Thrash on a 46-yard deep pass in the end zone for a touchdown. He finished with a team-high 73 receiving yards on four receptions.
Not only has he demonstrated his game in preseason, but he's also showcased his pass-catching in practices throughout training camp. He connected on a number of passes from the quarterbacks both in individual and team drills.
"We knew he was a very instinctive player that brought some value inside as well as outside, and that's what we've seen so far on the field and in the meeting rooms," passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach Chad O'Shea said of Thrash. "He's been able to kind of function in a couple different roles for us, whether he's inside or we choose to play him outside. He's done a real good job. And I think, like all rookies, he's really embracing just improving and learning from some veterans in the room that are a great example to him. Not only on what the plays are and how to run the routes, but how to be a professional daily. And he sure has been very enjoyable to coach so far. And he's working hard and he's a player that I think is getting better every day."
The Browns drafted Thrash with the 156th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Thrash spent the first part of his collegiate career at Georgia State before he transferred to Louisville for his final season. In his four seasons at Georgia State, Thrash caught 104 receptions for 1,752 yards and 12 touchdowns, as well as three carries for 10 yards. Then, during the 2023 season with Louisville, Thrash caught 63 passes for 858 receiving yards and six touchdowns, and one carry for 12 yards and a touchdown.
