Washington WR Rome Odunze, RB Dillon Johnson declaring for NFL draft

Washington is dropping two expert gamers to the NFL draft: vast receiver Rome Odunze and operating again Dillon Johnson.

A 3rd participant, security Mishael Powell, who began each recreation and had three interceptions and 38 tackles, has entered the switch portal.

Odunze led the nation in receiving yards in 2023 and earned first-team All-America honors. He enters the draft as Mel Kiper’s No. 5 general participant and No. 2 vast receiver.

Odunze emerged as the important thing ability place cog in Washington’s unlikely run to the nationwide title recreation, which included a Pac-12 title and 21-game profitable streak that ended towards Michigan within the Faculty Soccer Playoff title recreation.

Johnson led Washington with 1,195 yards and 16 speeding touchdowns. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry this season after spending his first three at Mississippi State.

Odunze almost left for the NFL final yr, when he mentioned he obtained suggestions from the NFL that he’d be a prime 100 prospect. He guess on himself, staying at Washington and it paid off for either side.

“I believe this has been one thing that is been brewing for a very long time,” he mentioned of his resolution to go to the NFL. “Not simply the final week or so. I needed to do no matter I may this season and provides it one final experience.”

Odunze’s resolution does not come as a shock. Whereas he had a yr of eligibility remaining after redshirting in 2020, his seismic manufacturing and engaging measurables — 6-foot-3 and 215 kilos — made him a fast riser within the eyes of NFL scouts all year long.

Odunze admitted to combined feelings along with his dream of getting into the NFL draft coming so quickly after a tricky loss on the largest stage. However he mirrored to a school profession that noticed him tied to 3 head coaches, endure the 2020 COVID-addled season and go 4-8 in 2021.

“I’d say it has been extra overwhelmingly grateful than something,” Odunze advised ESPN. “In fact, that final recreation was a bit bitter. I will have that carry over all my feelings from what I have been via. However from the place I used to be once I began and the place I ended, I am fantastically grateful.”

Odunze put up maybe essentially the most statistically dominant season by a large receiver in faculty soccer this season. Alongside along with his 1,640 yards that led the nation, he grabbed 13 landing passes and had 10 video games of 100 or extra yards. He teamed up with fellow receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan for the nation’s greatest trio.

Odunze thrived in superior receiving metrics. He led the nation with 80% of his catches going for a primary down or a landing. Odunze additionally led the FBS with 21 catches thrown greater than 20 yards down the sphere, 10 of which had been contested catches.

Whereas Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is forward of Odunze in almost each draft projection, Odunze did rank forward of him in key superior statistical metrics, per ESPN Stats & Data. Odunze’s 44% contested catch fee was tied for fifth amongst gamers with a minimum of 40 contested targets, effectively forward of Harrison’s 32%. Odunze’s 20 compelled missed tackles had been effectively forward of Harrison’s six.

Odunze acknowledged that being within the race for the draft’s prime vast receiver with gamers like Harrison and LSU’s Malik Nabers is “superior.”

He added: “I believe it is an actual honor to be up there with a few of these guys. All of us are going to be in comparison with each other, and it isn’t about tearing different guys down. It is about making your self the absolute best possibility and placing out the absolute best numbers and statistics. In fact, I wish to be the No. 1 vast receiver. I believe I am the very best vast receiver in faculty soccer.”

To get into that top-tier dialog took a journey he described as one in all “delayed gratification.” But it surely’s a path he is grateful for. He mentioned he is appreciative of the teaching staffs, the help staffs, his teammates and the tools employees at Washington.

He additionally made certain to thank his whole household, singling out each units of his grandparents — Wayne Bunnell, Helen Bunnell, James Odunze and Laetitia Odunze — with whom he is excited to share the second.

“I am so near undertaking one in all my biggest desires,” he mentioned, “and alongside the way in which, to make so many family and friends members proud. I get to deliver that pleasure and pleasure and rush of emotion to so many individuals’s hearts. That is actually why I do it.”