Training camp is officially underway in Berea, and although it won't include fans packed along the perimeter of the fields or the same schedule it's had in the past, we'll still have position battles and live football action to digest.
We're all excited to see players like Baker Mayfield, Myles Garrett, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry back in a Browns uniform, but what about players fighting for a chance to wear the orange and brown in Week 1?
Over the next couple weeks, we'll highlight players who are poised to be in the battle for spots on the 53-man roster.
The Player: Solomon Ajayi
Position: Linebacker
Age: 23
Height: 6-0
Weight: 222
College: Liberty
Check out photos of the team working out Monday
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Center JC Tretter (64) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Fullback Johnny Stanton (43) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker B.J. Goodson (93) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Kevin Johnson (28) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Tight end David Njoku (85) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Greedy Williams (26) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Donovan Olumba (33) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Running Back Kareem Hunt (27) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Tight end David Njoku (85) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Damion Ratley (18) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Adrian Clayborn (94) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Damion Ratley (18) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Taywan Taylor (10) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver D.J. Montgomery (15) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Mack Wilson (51) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Safety J.T. Hassell (49) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Long snapper Charley Hughlett (47) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Fullback Andy Janovich (31) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive end Olivier Vernon (54) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Tight end Austin Hooper (81) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (65) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during workouts on August 3, 2020
A player during workouts on August 3, 2020
Running Back Nick Chubb (24) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Sione Takitaki (44) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Donovan Olumba (33) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Safety Andrew Sendejo (23) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Robert Jackson (34) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Wide receiver Rashard Higgins (82) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Cornerback Robert Jackson (34) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Tight end Stephen Carlson (89) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Linebacker Tae Davis (55) during workouts on August 3, 2020
Before 2020 training camp: Ajayi joined the Browns as an undrafted free agent following a senior year at Liberty that featured a team-leading 92 tackles and one sack. Ajayi played two seasons with the Flames — he made 72 tackles and one sack in 2018 — after transferring from Bakersfield College in Bakersfield, California.
Ajayi was also a track & field athlete in high school, and possesses quality speed as a linebacker. His prospect status took a hit when the COVID-19 pandemic canceled Liberty's Pro Day workouts, but now he'll have a chance to prove himself on an NFL field with the Browns.
It's worth knowing that...: Ajayi is the brother of Jay Ajayi, a current free agent who was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round in 2015. In his second season in the league, Jay burst to the top of the league's running back picture with two consecutive 200-yard rushing games and joined O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams as players to have back-to-back games with over 200 yards. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles when they won Super Bowl LII.
"Every step of the way, I have looked up to him and his process," Solomon said to Colin Udoh of ESPN. "Growing up with him and seeing go from high school to college and to the NFL gives me hope and helps me see how possible it is, how achievable it is and I just have to keep working hard."
How does he fit? Ajayi is in the thick of arguably the biggest competition of Cleveland's training camp and will join seven other linebackers vying for the three spots defensive coordinator Joe Woods plans to use at the position in his 4-3 scheme. B.J. Goodson, Mack Wilson, Sione Takitaki and 2020 third-round pick Jacob Phillips are widely projected to compete for starting roles, but any linebacker with a strong camp could carry a sizable workload in the regular season. Ajayi will compete with Tae Davis, Willie Harvey and Montrel Meander for rotational roles.
