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The last thing that any Washington Huskies fan would imagine might become an issue for wide receiver Rome Odunze is drops.
However, after five drops on 99 targets during the 2025 campaign, some around the Chicago Bears believe that it could become an issue, even though Odunze was one of the most dominant and sure-handed receivers during his college career, especially in contested catch scenarios.
Moving forward, as 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III gains traction as one of the league's biggest potential breakout stars in 2026, there's some belief that he could overtake Odunze as the top target for quarterback Caleb Williams. However, former Pro Bowl wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who trains the 2023 Consensus All-American in the offseason, isn't concerned.
“The way Rome caught the ball in college, I would always tell my guys, Rome was playing with six fingers. Everybody else is playing with five,” Houshmandzadeh told ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
“He caught the ball so effortlessly. Great hand-eye coordination in college. When you start dropping the ball in the NFL, you’re pressing. It’s your concentration. You’re not getting many opportunities. So when opportunity comes, you start to press. And I don’t really worry about guys who drop the ball [when] I know [they] have good hands. Him catching and dropping a ball, on a scale of one to 10 concern, it would probably be a zero.”
Over his first two years, Odunze has compiled 98 catches for 1,395 yards and 9 touchdowns, and although the back half of his second season was hampered by a foot injury, his talent and work ethic could help him return to early 2025 form, when he hauled in 24 of his catches for 296 yards and five scores in the first five weeks.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Pro Bowl WR downplays former Washington football star's drop concerns
Continue reading...
However, after five drops on 99 targets during the 2025 campaign, some around the Chicago Bears believe that it could become an issue, even though Odunze was one of the most dominant and sure-handed receivers during his college career, especially in contested catch scenarios.
Moving forward, as 2025 second-round pick Luther Burden III gains traction as one of the league's biggest potential breakout stars in 2026, there's some belief that he could overtake Odunze as the top target for quarterback Caleb Williams. However, former Pro Bowl wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who trains the 2023 Consensus All-American in the offseason, isn't concerned.
“The way Rome caught the ball in college, I would always tell my guys, Rome was playing with six fingers. Everybody else is playing with five,” Houshmandzadeh told ESPN’s Courtney Cronin.
“He caught the ball so effortlessly. Great hand-eye coordination in college. When you start dropping the ball in the NFL, you’re pressing. It’s your concentration. You’re not getting many opportunities. So when opportunity comes, you start to press. And I don’t really worry about guys who drop the ball [when] I know [they] have good hands. Him catching and dropping a ball, on a scale of one to 10 concern, it would probably be a zero.”
Over his first two years, Odunze has compiled 98 catches for 1,395 yards and 9 touchdowns, and although the back half of his second season was hampered by a foot injury, his talent and work ethic could help him return to early 2025 form, when he hauled in 24 of his catches for 296 yards and five scores in the first five weeks.
This article originally appeared on Huskies Wire: Pro Bowl WR downplays former Washington football star's drop concerns
Continue reading...
