Rome Odunze

Rome Odunze's Biography

Rome Odunze, an accomplished American professional football wide receiver, was born on June 3, 2002, in Orem, Utah. Later, his family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, when Rome was only three years old. His love for football was ignited during his growing up years, a passion that eventually shaped his career.

During his school years, Rome joined Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, where he had his first taste of football glory. He made heads turn as a senior in 2019 when he recorded an impressive 54 catches for 1,222 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. This triumphant performance earned him the title of the state’s Gatorade Football Player of the Year. His high school career stats stood at 121 receptions for 2,699 yards and 31 touchdowns, creating a foundation for his future in football. By the end of his senior year, Rome had committed to play college football at the University of Washington.

The year 2020, as a true freshman at the University of Washington, Rome entered four games with six receptions for 72 yards. By the following year, 2021, he had grown significantly as a player, starting seven out of nine games as a sophomore and recording 41 receptions for 415 yards, including four touchdowns. His career path at Washington was well under way, and there was no looking back.

In 2022, as a junior, Rome led the team in receiving yards with a remarkable figure of 1,145, the fifth-highest in Washington’s single-season history. His meteoric rise as a player saw him marking six games with over 100 yards and three games with over 150 yards. This impressive streak positioned him as the leader in the Pac-12 in receiving yards and second in receptions per game.

Unfortunately, September 30, 2023, brought a challenging situation Rome’s way. After recovering an onside kick from University of Arizona kicker Tyler Loop, he sustained an injury due to a hit from safety Dalton Johnson. Though Rome later revealed that he had broken a rib and punctured a lung, his dedication to the game saw him play all 15 games of that season, including two playoff games. Despite the physical setback, he recorded astounding figures of 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also marked ten games with over 100 receiving yards. His impeccable performance positioned him as the NCAA leader in receiving yards and the Pac-12 leader in receptions for 2023. He also became a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

Following the end of the season and Washington’s loss in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, Rome decided to enter the 2024 NFL Draft. His commitment and remarkable growth as a player saw him get selected by the Chicago Bears ninth overall in the draft. On July 16, 2024, Rome signed his four-year rookie contract with the Bears, valued at $22.7 million.

His first career touchdown came soon after with a one-yard receiving touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. During the game, Rome caught 6 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown, but the Bears suffered a 21-16 loss.

Today, Rome’s football journey mirrors his passion, determination, and skill, starting from the State’s Gatorade Player of the Year in high school to playing as a professional wide receiver for the Chicago Bears. As his career continues to evolve, the young football star holds strong promise for a bright future in the NFL.