Mediaboss Marketing

BEREA Before Luke Wypler ever stepped onto a practice field as a member of the Browns, the center from Ohio State noticed a chessboard in team headquarters and knew he would have competition.

He discovered the chess set belongs to Amari Cooper and vowed to challenge the Browns wide receiver to a match when veteran players return.

Wypler explained his passion for chess is applicable to the cerebral aspects of football, such as film study and strategy.

That's the part of the game I really love, kind of the chess, I call it, of playing football. It's like the mental warfare behind the scenes that not a lot of people see, Wypler said Friday before the first practice of rookie minicamp.

Dawand Jones at Browns rookie minicamp: Cleveland Browns tackle wants 'the real truth' on love of football

As a sixth-round pick in last month's NFL Draft, Wypler is a pawn eager to work for a roster spot behind Browns starting center Ethan Pocic. His main competition will be Nick Harris.

The Browns hosted Wypler for an official pre-draft visit, so he knew Cleveland could be a landing spot. Now his new home is a reality, and he's thrilled about receiving an opportunity to learn from offensive line coaches Bill Callahan and Scott Peters and veterans such as five-time Pro Bowl left guard Joel Bitonio. He's also reunited with former Buckeyes linemate Dawand Jones, a rookie fourth-round pick.

Cleveland Browns 2023 schedule: Bengals to start and end season, plus two prime-time dates

All of those factors have led Wypler to conclude his decision to declare for the draft after his junior season and second year as an Ohio State starter was the right one.

In chess parlance, Wypler believes he made the right move.

It couldn't have been better for me, Wypler said.

Which quarterbacks Browns will face: Assessing the Cleveland Browns' schedule by opposing QBs, from Joe Burrow to Aaron Rodgers

In addition to chess, the 6-foot-3, 303-pound Wypler has dabbled in stand-up comedy and juggling, a hobby he picked up in elementary school. Don't be surprised if he wins the Browns rookie talent show.

Telling jokes and juggling can't get better than that, he said.

Cleveland Browns season predictions: Yes, it's too early to play the schedule game, but here are some records anyway

In the realm of football, the 22-year-old Wypler is known for a razor-sharp intellect and relentless work ethic a byproduct of the New Jersey native's blue-collar roots.

I would say it probably came from my parents, Wypler said of his tenacious preparation. I always tell people like, 'This isn't work. I get to play a sport for a living.' I watched how my parents had to work growing up.

My dad waking up 4:30, 3 o'clock in the morning, driving trucks, delivering things. That's hard work. This is fun. So, for me, I don't consider this work. This is just something I am lucky to do every single day.

As soon as the Browns drafted Wypler, he and Jones exchanged text messages about continuing their football journeys together. It was the first time Cleveland had picked two Buckeyes in the same draft since 1965 and the first time the organization had chosen two Ohio State offensive linemen in the same draft since 1959.

Run off the ball and being physical, thats what he loves to do, Jones, a 6-foot-8 tackle, said of Wypler. Hes smart. Hes a master of the game.

We shared a great bond at Ohio State. Just to hear his name called picked as a Brown it was like, Lets go! It was like an ecstatic moment.

Browns 2023 schedule release: Prime-time duo among Cleveland Browns' five most interesting games

Wypler started 13 games for Ohio State each of the past two seasons and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition last year. Although Wypler is a center, he played tackle in high school, and he's already begun cross-training at guard under the guidance of Callahan and Peters.

He played a lot of good football for them down there in Columbus, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. Tough, very, very intelligent, scrappy, just fits in with what we do.

Centers, by nature, oftentimes are really, really intelligent guys because you're making a lot of adjustments at the line of scrimmage when it comes to protection and the run game and those types of things. We ask a lot of our centers.

The simplest explanation for Wypler lasting until the draft's penultimate round, where the Browns nabbed him with the 190th overall pick, is tied to him possessing short arms (31 5/8 inches at the NFL Scouting Combine) by league standards.

Some other O-linemen have overcome a lack of prototypical arm length by proving it didn't leave them more vulnerable to being overpowered in the trenches. For example, former NFL center Ryan Kalil's arms measured 31 inches at the combine. A second-round pick in 2007, Kalil made five Pro Bowls with the Carolina Panthers.

I think that stuff doesn't really motivate me, Wypler said of falling to the sixth round. I think I motivate myself. I kind of let that be what it is. I have a lot of motivation inside of me. I'm very self-motivated, and those outside factors don't really bother me too much.

Wypler's vision isn't limited to draft stock. Like a seasoned chess player, he realizes a long-term view is more important.

Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.

Go here to see the original:
Browns rookie and former Ohio State center Luke Wypler loves the ... - Akron Beacon Journal