Although Caleb Williams has all the attention, there’s also good reason to be excited for wide receiver Rome Odunze for the upcoming season. For his part, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer praised him and gave a reason why he can be good in the NFL.
The Chicago Bears were fortunate to land Odunze in the 2024 NFL Draft. According to reports, multiple teams were trying to trade up to select the wide receiver, but the Bears were able to secure him with the ninth overall pick.
![Chicago Bears' Rome Odunze Draws Massive Praise From Kalen DeBoer 1 Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_23237044-scaled.webp)
The Bears had already drafted Caleb Williams with the first overall pick, and they were thrilled to pair him with Odunze, a talented receiver from Washington. The Bears’ front office, led by GM Ryan Poles, had become infatuated with the former Washington Huskies star’s talent, work ethic, and character.
The key to the Bears’ success in landing him were the decisions made by the Tennessee Titans and the Atlanta Falcons. The Titans, picking seventh, opted to address their offensive line needs instead of trading down, while the Falcons, picking 8th, decided to select quarterback Michael Penix Jr. from Washington.
These decisions allowed the Huskies star to fall to the Bears at the ninth pick. Other teams, such as the New York Jets and the Las Vegas Raiders, were also interested in trading up to select the wide receiver, but ultimately, the Bears were able to secure him.
Alabama Crimson Tide Coach Kalen DeBoer Praises Chicago Bears Wide Receiver Rome Odunze
![Chicago Bears' Rome Odunze Draws Massive Praise From Kalen DeBoer 2 Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_23120821-scaled.webp)
Just recently, former Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer appeared in an episode of Green Light with Chris Long, a production of Yote House Media, on YouTube and talked about his former wide receiver.
“He is a complete all around [player]. Great hands, the thing about him being taller, the high pointing, the body control, being able to keep a defender away… He’s quarterback-friendly and he will lead you into the right spots because he understands offensive football, but he also can see and feel and has those instincts––when to sit down, when to go. He just got beyond the talent and skill that you have when you’re just running routes on air.”
Odunze played college football at the University of Washington, where he was a consensus All-American and runner-up for the national championship in 2023. He was signed by the Bears with a four-year rookie contract worth $22.7 million.
![Chicago Bears' Rome Odunze Draws Massive Praise From Kalen DeBoer 3 Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_23105386_168400517_lowres-scaled.webp)
With Williams running the offense in Chicago, Odunze will surely get a lot of opportunities to shine. For sure, Bears fans will look forward to how he’ll perform on the field soon.
![Chicago Bears' Rome Odunze Draws Massive Praise From Kalen DeBoer 4 Chicago Bears, Rome Odunze](https://gridironheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USATSI_22676341_168400517_lowres.webp)
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