The Bears' "Meet the Rookies" documentary will be shown in its entirety this weekend on Chicago's FOX 32 (Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 10 p.m.).
The series, which is brought to you by Mercedes-Benz, is highlighted by behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with three Bears rookies. It features second-round tight end Cole Kmet, second-round cornerback Jaylon Johnson and fifth-round outside linebacker Trevis Gipson.
In its sixth year, the "Meet the Rookies" series tells the story of each player's journey to the NFL in their own words. It's hosted by Jeff Joniak, Bears play-by-play announcer on WBBM Newsradio 780 AM & 105.9 FM, and Bears reporter Lauren Screeden.
"Meet the Rookies" launched this week with separate segments on Johnson Tuesday, Gipson Wednesday and Kmet Thursday on ChicagoBears.com, the free Chicago Bears Official App brought to you by Verizon and Bears social media channels, including YouTube.
Here's more information on the rookies who are featured:
Cole Kmet
Kmet was a three-year contributor at Notre Dame. He emerged as a playmaker last season, establishing career highs in all receiving categories with 43 receptions, 515 yards and six touchdowns despite missing the first three games with a broken collarbone.
An avid Bears fan who grew up in Lake Barrington, Kmet starred in football and baseball at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights. His father, Frank, was a lineman on the Bears practice squad in 1993 who also hails from the Chicago area, attending Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.
Jaylon Johnson
Johnson was a two-time first-team All-Pac 12 selection at Utah, where he played in 38 games with 29 starts the past three seasons and recorded 102 tackles, seven interceptions—two of which he returned for touchdowns—21 pass breakups and one sack.
The 6-foot, 195-pounder's best year was 2018 when he set career highs with 41 tackles and four interceptions. Last season Johnson earned second-team All-America honors. He started 13 games, ranking third in the Pac-12 with a team-leading 11 pass breakups.
Trevis Gipson
Gipson was a two-year starter at Tulsa, where he earned first-team All-American Athletic Conference honors last year as a senior after setting career highs with 49 tackles, eight sacks and 15 tackles-for-loss. As a junior, he registered 46 tackles, four sacks and nine tackles-for-loss. Gipson forced eight fumbles during his college career, tying for second in the nation with five in 2018.
