HOUSTON — It was almost a yr in the past when Washington’s greatest receiver, Rome Odunze, despatched place coach JaMarcus Shephard a textual content message. He was going to enter the NFL Draft.
Shephard nonetheless remembers the sensation within the pit of his abdomen.
Nevertheless it was solely a joke. A couple of seconds later, Odunze despatched a follow-up: He’d go to the draft in 2024, which means he’d be again at Washington for yet another yr.
“I simply advised him, ‘I promise you, you made the best choice,” Shephard stated Saturday, reflecting on the second. “‘And I’m gonna provide help to get the place try to be. I do know the place try to be. I do know what sort of participant you might be. I do know what you’re able to. And we simply acquired to ensure the remainder of the nation is aware of that.’”
Eighty-seven catches, 1,553 yards and 13 landing receptions later, the remainder of the nation has realized about Odunze, who’s arguably the perfect receiver in school soccer. When the No. 2 Huskies face No. 1 Michigan in Monday’s Faculty Soccer Playoff nationwide championship recreation, Odunze will probably be among the many hardest challenges for Michigan’s protection.
When Odunze determined to return for 2023, he needed to enhance his draft inventory and assist Washington compete for a championship. He has executed each in an enormous method.
Who’s the perfect NFL prospect in Oregon-Washington showdown Saturday?
My vote is simple: WR Rome Odunze.
Excellent dimension/pace athlete (6027v, 217v) with plus physique coordination and ball expertise to win the catch level. It is a 1st spherical WR. pic.twitter.com/IWyRSj2Fza
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 13, 2023
The suggestions Odunze obtained from NFL groups “wasn’t precisely what I needed to listen to, however it wasn’t horrible,” he stated. Shephard stated some professional groups didn’t suppose Odunze did a ok job of constructing contested catches.
“All of us knew he might do this in an elite method,” Shephard stated. “It simply wasn’t on movie sufficient. And it was like he was out on a mission this yr. Simply to let all people see, like, you’re loopy in the event you don’t suppose I can do that.”
Activate Odunze’s highlights, and they’re chock filled with the 6-foot-3, 213-pound star utilizing his distinctive physique management to stave off defenders and haul in passes from Michael Penix Jr.
Odunze’s resume on this entrance is lengthy, however his game-winning reception within the Huskies’ 36-33 win over Oregon on Oct. 14 is among the most impactful examples. Odunze endured contact from Oregon nook Trikweze Bridges, then completely timed his leap to satisfy Penix’s well-placed throw. In September, he accomplished a catch of upper problem, falling on his again whereas smothered by a Michigan State defender. In accordance with Professional Soccer Focus, Odunze leads the nation in contested catches with 20.
When requested about scouts’ previous criticism, Odunze laughed.
“It’s ridiculous,” Odunze stated. “I believe that I’ve made contested catches fairly persistently my complete profession. Positively have gotten higher at it.”
Odunze joked that as a result of he has made contested catches so steadily, now he’s listening to chatter that he’s not open sufficient.
“The tape, the numbers, the statistics communicate for themselves, particularly the movie,” Odunze stated. “I believe that’s crossed off their listing of issues to say.”
Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter agreed.
“It’s his means to make these contested catches that separates him,” Minter stated. “He has an excellent talent set. He’s large. He’s quick. He runs actually good routes, however he very not often doesn’t come down with the ball within the contested catch alternatives.”
How does Odunze evaluate to Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., who received the Biletnikoff and whom Michigan confronted earlier this yr?
“They’re each elite,” Minter stated. “They’re most likely going to be the primary two receivers picked (within the draft). … Each have the power to type of take over the sport, to wreck the sport.”
Dane Brugler, The Athletic’s NFL Draft author, has Odunze pegged as a top-15 decide and slotted him at No. 15 in his first 2024 NFL mock draft. Harrison and LSU’s Malik Nabers are at the moment projected because the draft’s high two receivers. Odunze began the season at No. 45 on Brugler’s preseason large board.
Odunze’s confidence is unwavering. He believes he’s the perfect receiver within the recreation. Requested if he ought to have received the Biletnikoff, he stated sure.
“I ought to have received it however on the finish of the day, that’s not one thing I’m too apprehensive about,” he stated. “We’re in that nationwide championship, and elevating up that trophy will imply much more than successful the Biletnikoff. Plus, there have been so many nice receivers in school soccer this yr. Marvin performed tremendously, Malik performed tremendously, and kudos to these guys for certain.”
For Shephard, there’s little question who’s the perfect.
“With out query I imagine he’s the perfect receiver in school soccer,” Shephard stated. “Simply have a look at what he did within the clutch moments of soccer video games. He did it nearly as good as anyone else within the moments when it counted probably the most. That, to me, tells you why he’s the perfect.”
These round him laud his management, his coronary heart and his consistency. Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb stated Odunze has been “the identical man since day one” and “is likely to be the neatest receiver I’ve ever coached.” Shephard stated Odunze has an excellent really feel for when his teammates should be energized and once they want him to be calm. Penix admires how Odunze reveals up day-after-day.
“He doesn’t simply do it on recreation day, both,” Penix stated. “He reveals up in apply, at all times giving the perfect appears, the perfect reps that he can to assist his crew, and that’s what I believe makes him so particular. Simply his care and love for this crew to the place like in the case of apply, when it is likely to be getting exhausting in apply, he’s nonetheless going to present 110 % it doesn’t matter what.”
Odunze nonetheless hasn’t permeated everybody’s consciousness, although. Shephard introduced up the truth that his title remains to be sometimes mispronounced on tv, one thing he referenced on social media lately. Shephard calls it an indication of disrespect. Odunze stated if he simply continues to show himself on the sector, he’ll be acknowledged ultimately.
Romay?? Odunzo?? 🤣🤣 At this level I believe I’ve been saying my very own title incorrect
— Rome Odunze (@RomeOdunze) January 3, 2024
He actually has Michigan’s consideration. Quickly he’ll have the NFL’s, too.
“Each NFL man that requested me,” Grubb stated, “I’m like, ‘That’s a 10-year professional if I’ve ever seen one.’”
(Picture: Matthew Hinton / USA At present)
