Rome Odunze Bio
Rome Odunze is an American professional football wide receiver for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington Huskies, where he was a consensus All-American and runner-up for the national championship in 2023. Odunze was selected by the Bears ninth overall in the 2024 NFL draft, beginning his professional career as one of the most talked-about young receivers in the league.
Born in Utah and raised in Las Vegas, Odunze developed into a star at Bishop Gorman High School before becoming a record-setting pass catcher at the University of Washington. Standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 214 pounds, he brings a tall, physical frame to the Bears’ offense. His combination of size, hands, and route running has made him a featured piece of Chicago’s rebuilding roster.
Early Life and Background
Rome Odunze was born on June 3, 2002, in Orem, Utah, and later moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, when he was three years old. Growing up in the Las Vegas area, he was introduced to football at a young age and developed his skills through local youth programs. His athletic build and natural hands quickly set him apart from his peers.
Odunze attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, one of the premier football programs in the state of Nevada. As a senior in 2019, he was named Nevada’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year after recording 54 catches for 1,222 yards and 15 touchdowns. Across his high school career, he totaled 121 receptions for 2,699 yards and 31 touchdowns, establishing himself as a top national recruit.
Following his standout senior season, Odunze committed to the University of Washington to play college football. His decision to join the Pac-12 program set the stage for one of the most productive receiving careers in recent Huskies history.
Path to American Football
Odunze’s path to elite American football began in the high school ranks, where his size and production made him a priority recruit for college programs. Bishop Gorman’s national schedule gave him exposure to top-level competition, helping him refine his technique against elite defensive backs. His combination of physical tools and consistent production attracted the attention of Pac-12 scouts.
His commitment to Washington offered a clear development path within a conference known for producing NFL-caliber receivers. The Huskies’ offensive system, which emphasized downfield passing and contested catches, fit Odunze’s strengths. By the time he arrived in Seattle, he was already viewed as a future professional prospect with first-round potential.
Rome Odunze Career
Early Career (2020–2021)
As a true freshman at the University of Washington in 2020, Odunze played in four games and recorded six receptions for 72 yards during a season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic. His early appearances showed flashes of the playmaking ability that would later define his career. Coaches used his freshman year to develop his technique and understanding of the college game.
In his sophomore season of 2021, Odunze started seven of nine games and produced 41 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns. The increased role allowed him to showcase his route running and ability to win in contested situations. He returned to Washington the following year as a full-time starter, ready to take on a leading role in the Huskies’ offense.
Washington Huskies Breakthrough (2022–2023)
As a junior in 2022, Odunze led the Washington Huskies in receiving yards with 1,145, the fifth-most in single-season history for the program. He surpassed 100 receiving yards in six games and topped 150 yards in three contests, demonstrating his big-play capability. He also led the Pac-12 Conference in receiving yards and finished second in receptions per game. His performance earned him First-team All-Pac-12 honors.
Odunze’s senior season in 2023 elevated him to national prominence. On September 30, 2023, he recovered an onside kick against the University of Arizona and later revealed he had suffered a broken rib and punctured lung on the play. Despite the injury, he played in all 15 games, including two playoff contests, and recorded 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. He reached 100 receiving yards in ten games, led the NCAA in receiving yards, and led the Pac-12 in receptions. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award and was named a consensus All-American. Following Washington’s appearance in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, Odunze declared for the 2024 NFL draft.
Chicago Bears Era (2024–Present)
Odunze was selected by the Chicago Bears ninth overall in the 2024 NFL draft. On July 16, 2024, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $22.7 million. He scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard reception against the Indianapolis Colts, finishing that game with six catches for 112 yards and a touchdown in a 21–16 loss. As a rookie, he totaled 54 receptions for 734 yards and three touchdowns, providing a steady presence in Chicago’s passing game.
Entering his second professional season, Odunze continued to develop as a central figure in the Bears’ offense. Through 12 games of the 2025 regular season, he recorded 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns before missing the final five contests with a foot injury. He posted a career-best performance in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, catching seven passes for a career-high 128 yards and two touchdowns. His production underscored his growing role as a primary target in Chicago’s aerial attack.
Driving Style and Strengths
Odunze plays with a physical, controlled style that allows him to win in contested-catch situations along the sideline and in the red zone. His 6-foot-3 frame and strong hands make him a reliable target on back-shoulder throws and jump balls. He combines that size with crisp route running and the ability to separate against both press coverage and zone looks. His willingness to work over the middle and block on the perimeter has earned him the trust of his coaching staff.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Odunze’s college career came in 2023, when he played through a broken rib and punctured lung to help Washington reach the national championship game. His nine career NFL touchdowns and 1,395 receiving yards through the 2025 season mark him as one of Chicago’s most productive young receivers. Being selected ninth overall in the 2024 draft stands as the most significant milestone of his professional career to date.
Rome Odunze Career Wins
Rome Odunze’s career to this point has been defined more by individual production and milestones than by traditional win totals, as the stat is most commonly tracked for individual receiving accomplishments in football. He has established himself as a top collegiate receiver and a developing professional talent.
Washington Huskies Highlights
During his time at Washington, Odunze earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors in both 2022 and 2023. He was named a consensus All-American in 2023 and finished as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award that same year. He led the NCAA in receiving yards in 2023 with 1,640 yards and led the Pac-12 in receptions.
Other Wins and Performances
At Bishop Gorman High School, Odunze was named Nevada’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year as a senior in 2019. His high school career totals of 121 receptions for 2,699 yards and 31 touchdowns ranked among the best in state history. These achievements helped establish him as one of the top receiver recruits in the country.
Rome Odunze Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Rome Odunze’s parents and immediate family members are limited in available sources. He was raised primarily in the Las Vegas area after his family moved there from Utah when he was three. His upbringing in that region helped shape his early development as an athlete.
Personal Life
Rome Odunze focuses much of his public life on his football career and remains active on social media, where he shares updates with fans. Details about his marital status, spouse, or children have not been publicly confirmed in available sources.
2025 Season Performance
Rome Odunze’s 2025 season with the Chicago Bears built on the foundation of his rookie year. Through 12 games, he recorded 44 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns, averaging more than 55 receiving yards per contest. His six-touchdown pace represented a significant step forward from his three-touchdown rookie total.
His standout performance came in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, where he caught seven passes for a career-high 128 yards and two touchdowns. The performance highlighted his growing chemistry with the Bears’ passing offense and his ability to produce explosive plays. He missed the final five games of the regular season with a foot injury, limiting his overall counting statistics.
Looking ahead, Odunze remains a central piece of the Bears’ long-term plans at wide receiver. His rookie contract runs through 2028, giving Chicago multiple seasons to build around his skill set. As he recovers from his foot injury and enters the next phase of his development, expectations remain high for him to emerge as one of the premier young receivers in the NFC.
