NFL Draft week is bringing back fond memories for receiver Rome Odunze, who was selected by the Bears with the ninth pick in the first round last year.
Odunze began preparing for the draft immediately after Washington lost to Michigan in college football's national championship game Jan. 8, 2024.
"It was crazy," Odunze said. "I mean, the whole buildup from finishing college football straight to the training into the combine process, it was just like one transition after another. Huge life-changing things that are all happening within a four-month span. It's kind of a whirlwind, but at the end of the day it's what you dream about when you're a kid."
Odunze was the third receiver chosen in last year's draft, following Marvin Harrison Jr. by the Cardinals at No. 4 and Malik Nabers by the Giants at No. 6.
Last week, new Bears receivers coach Antwaan Randle El told reporters that while serving in the same capacity with the Lions in 2024, he ranked Odunze as the top receiver in the draft.
"That was my first time hearing that … and that means a lot to me," Odunze said. "I had myself No. 1, too, so I think that we're on the same page with that."
Odunze has enjoyed working with Randle El, a Chicago area native who boasts 15 seasons of NFL experience, nine as a player and six as an offensive assistant.
"He's been great so far," Odunze said. "Been learning a lot from him. Just got to learn some different technique standpoints from him the other day … It's been awesome. He's a very energetic guy. He reminds me a lot of JaMarcus Shephard, my UW coach. But [Randle El] has his own flare. He played the game, from Chicago, he has a lot invested in this organization and the game as a whole. Again, another guy I'm looking forward to learning from."
Odunze appeared in all 17 games in his first year with the Bears, catching 54 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns. He joined Hall of Fame tight end Mike Ditka as the franchise's only rookies with at least 50 receptions and 700 yards receiving.
Entering his second season, Odunze is determined to improve in all areas.
"It's just honing in on all the different things that come with wide receiver play," he said. "And that includes blocking, that includes knowing the scheme in the run game, being violent at the point of attack, route running, catching, contested catches, all of those different things that you know in the envelope of what wide receiver play is I think is important.
"I'm looking just to hone in on all those different things matched to the scheme. I think I had the capability to do it last year, but just being able to unfold that this year and let it all come out on the field with the right pieces intact I will be huge."
The Bears added some key pieces in the offseason, fortifying their interior offensive line by trading for Pro Bowl guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing top free agent center Drew Dalman. With those acquisitions joining promising young quarterback Caleb Williams and other playmakers, Odunze believes that the offense has a high ceiling.
"The sky's the limit," he said. "With the different pieces that we've added, the people that are in the locker room today, the level of preparation and dedication that is continuing to develop, it's definitely set up for something big. Hopefully we can put it all together."
