How a summer on a Utah farm prepared Rome Odunze for the NFL
In short: Before becoming a top NFL draft pick, Rome Odunze learned the value of hard work on his mother's family farm in Utah. This early grit helped fuel a collegiate career at Washington, where he eventually led the NCAA in receiving yards during a standout 2023 season.
Born on June 3, 2002, in Orem, Utah, Rome Odunze's journey to professional football was shaped by his upbringing and early experiences. After moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, at age three, he attended Bishop Gorman High School. In 2019, his final year of high school, he earned the title of Gatorade Football Player of the Year for his state after securing 15 touchdowns, 1,222 yards, and 54 catches.
His collegiate career at the University of Washington showcased his ability to perform under pressure and through physical adversity. In 2023, despite suffering a broken rib and a punctured lung during a play against the University of Arizona on September 30, Odunze continued to play. He appeared in all 15 games that season, including two playoff matches, recording 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. This performance led the NCAA in receiving yards and made him a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
Odunze's success in college paved the way for his entry into the National Football League. He was selected ninth overall by the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL draft and signed a four-year rookie contract worth $22.7 million on July 16, 2024. His transition to the professional level included a productive rookie season, where he recorded 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns, and a subsequent 2025 season where he reached a career-high 128 yards in a single game against the Detroit Lions.
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