Rome Odunze is easily one of the best University of Washington wide receivers to every suit up in the purple and gold and now he gets to make his name in the NFL. The Chicago Bears drafted him 9th overall in the 2024 NFL draft and love his ability to make amazing contested catches.
His ability to create seperation and catch passes in even the smallest windows is what defined his college career. He also seemed to have a nose for the endzone, recording 24 touchdown catches in his career, 13 of them coming in his final year.
That contested and amazing catch ability was on full display on Sunday as he made his first NFL (and currently only) reception. It's one of those, you need to see it to believe it sort of scenarios, especially because the ball wasn't even thrown to him.
WATCH: Caleb Williams connects with former Washington Husky Rome Odunze for Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams hitting Rome Odunze on the backside dig, beautiful pic.twitter.com/uWcgaAURDO
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) September 8, 2024
In a throw over the middle to DJ Moore, QB Caleb Williams launched it directly into traffic and the ball was batted up in the air where Odunze found it and pulled it down for an 11 yard reception. Yes, I know he also fumbled it at the end, in a purely rookie moment as he was thinking it was also his chance to score and he didn't secure the ball.
The good news is, another Bear recovered it and Odunze didn't have to have his first career fumble lost.
This is a wild way to start your NFL career and to have as your first NFL reception. It's a story he will laugh about for years as he looks to put that first one behind him as he continues to develop his NFL chemistry with rookie QB Caleb Williams. He was a coveted top 10 pick and the Bears will look to establish him in the passing game as the year progresses.
He learned a valuable rookie lesson and it will be fun to watch more contested catches, without such a wild beginning or ending.