Browns sign defensive end George Obinna

The Cleveland Browns signed defensive end George Obinna on Wednesday.

In a corresponding transaction, the team released defensive tackle Jeffery Whatley.

The 6-foot-2 and 245-pound Obinna is on his second stint with the Browns after signing as an undrafted free agent out of Sacramento State on May 5. He was released on July 31 before the team decided to bring him back.

In 46 games with the Hornets, Obinna had a school-record 33.5 sacks while posting 136 tackles, four forced fumbles and recovered three fumbles.

His 14 sacks in 2019 where a single-season record for the school and helped earn Obinna selections to the All-Big Sky first team, the STATS All-American third team and the AP All-American third team, according to The State Hornet.

The Browns first started talking to Obinna during practices last season and then again at the Hula Bowl in January, Obinna told The Tracy Press in April:

“We kept open lines of communications. When it came to the draft, they called me towards the beginning of the seventh round and said they were still showing interest. They said they would love to have me, and I would love to have them. Basically my agent set it up, and all of a sudden I’m a Brown, and it’s still all so surreal.”

Obinna may be a bit light to hold up at defensive end, so the Browns could be looking at him as an outside linebacker or, more likely, as a possible role on special teams.