Second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo impressed the Bears with his consistency and dependability throughout his career as a Boston College offensive lineman.
"Play-in, play-out, game-in, game-out, we talk about smart, tough and dependable, he embodies all three of those things," said Bears director of player personnel Trey Koziol. "He's very technically sound. And the dependability piece, especially in the offensive line room, can't be overrated."
Koziol also described the 6-8, 316-pounder as "a big man who moves well," an aspect of his game that Trapilo takes pride in.
"The size can be deceptive, because you see a guy who is so big and you think immediately that they might not be an athlete, they might not move as well." Trapilo said. "I think I do a good job footwork-wise and with hand placement and those athletic traits. I think I'm pretty well rounded as a player. That's something that I really work on. Being taller, it doesn't all come natural to me. But putting in the work day-in and day-out has really helped to elevate my game to be well rounded."
With the 56th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears select Boston College offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo. Take a look at photos of Trapilo in action. (Photos via CollegePressBox and AP)
Trapilo also views himself as a fierce and disciplined competitor who intends to battle for playing time as a Bears rookie.
"Coming into a new program, my main goal is to get on the field as soon as possible," Trapilo said. "I play hard and play tough, but I also play smart and under control. I don't let emotions get the best of me. I try to stay in the moment at all times and stay focused and disciplined."
Trapilo started all 34 games he played at Boston College the past three seasons, lining up at left tackle in 2022 and right tackle in 2023-24. He switched sides after Matt Applebaum took over as offensive line coach and wanted to put Trapilo next to right guard Christian Mahogany, who returned after missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL.
Asked whether he feels more comfortable at left or right tackle, Trapilo said: "If you asked me that during [last] season, I would obviously say right because that is where I practiced. But as soon as the season ended, going into this level especially, you want to be as versatile as possible, so I've done a ton of work at all positions except center.
"I would just be ready to fill wherever is needed. That's the main goal, right? Get on the field as soon as possible, so that is kind of how I focused my training these last few months. I think I've done a good job with that, so I wouldn't have a preference at the moment."
In entering the NFL, Trapilo continues to follow in the footsteps of his dad, Steve Trapilo, who passed away due to a heart attack in 2004 when Ozzy was just three years old. Like his father, Ozzy played football at Boston College High School and Boston College.
Steve was a guard who was chosen by the Saints in the fourth round of the 1987 draft and played five NFL seasons.
"I don't really have many memories of him myself," Ozzy said. "A lot of what I know of him is through stories from my mom, from his buddies, from our family, people that knew him beforehand. I think in a way it's pretty cool because I get to form my own opinion on who he was as a man and just based off all the stuff I'm hearing about him.
"A lot of people, especially as I've gotten older, say I'm very similar to him, the way we walk, the way we laugh. So just hearing stuff like that is very cool for me. I know it's cool for my family. They all are enjoying this process. They're super stoked. Being able to [get drafted], it's a dream come true."
