Is Bears rookie WR Rome Odunze the subsequent Larry Fitzgerald?

Rome Odunze is “like Larry Fitzgerald, however he can run.”

Former NFL wideout T.J. Houshmandzadeh had excessive reward for the Chicago Bears’ rookie extensive receiver, who he additionally occurs to coach.

Whereas showing on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on Thursday, Houshmandzadeh was requested what his ideas had been on Odunze as a receiver and the comparisons of his sport to former Cardinals’ standout Larry Fitzgerald.

“I perceive they [receivers] get somewhat gassed up typically,” Cowherd started after explaining the hype surrounding a few of the sport’s most entertaining gamers, typically known as “diva receivers.”

“I acquired a textual content the opposite day from a former NFL quarterback,” Cowherd continued. “And he mentioned, you guys don’t know. He [Odunze] will stroll into the NFL — he will probably be Larry Fitzgerald.”

Fitzgerald performed for Arizona for 17 seasons after he was chosen by the Cardinals with the third total decide within the 2004 NFL draft. He was an 11-time Professional Bowler and completed his profession with 17,492 receiving yards off of 1,432 receptions, together with 121 touchdowns.

Whereas Cowherd was explaining the textual content he obtained, Houshmandzadeh, a former Cincinnati Bengals Professional Bowler, let a smile creep onto his face ready to reply.

“Rome is simply that sort of dude,” Houshmandzadeh started. “He is simply going to do the precise factor on a regular basis. Not as a result of he has to consider it. That is simply who he’s … he is gifted, man,” he mentioned.

When Cowherd pressed a bit extra on why the smile, Houshmandzadeh affirmed the Fitzgerald comparability.

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“Folks have requested me who do I examine him to. I am unable to examine him to anyone. And, the closest individual that I can get to is Larry Fitzgerald,” Houshmandzadeh mentioned.

Odunze started his profession at Washington as a real freshman, and he performed all 4 years. As a junior, he led the workforce in receiving yards with 1,145, led the Pac-12 in receiving yards and was second in receptions per sport.

In his remaining season with the Huskies, Odunze suffered an damage whereas recovering an onside kick in Washington’s September 2023 matchup towards Arizona. The consensus All-American was in a position to end the remainder of the season and declared for the 2024 draft after his workforce’s 34-13 loss to Michigan within the Faculty Soccer Playoff championship sport.

Whereas Houshmandzadeh understands the comparability to Fitzgerald, it appears he thinks Odunze may supply a bit extra.

“He is [Odunze] is quicker … his ball expertise are like Larry Fitzgerald, however he can run. He can drop his weight. He has good quickness. And, he is only a good dude.”

Houshmandzadeh additionally agreed with Cowherd that NFL receivers can exhibit “diva” conduct, however he feels Odunze is poised to convey a special degree of vitality to the sport.

“It is as a result of I frolicked with Rome, I do know him — he could be fairly presumably one of the best receiver of this draft, and this can be one of the best receiver draft we have ever seen.”

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