Bears’ 2024 UDFAs include intriguing defensive lineman, former USC wide receiver originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
The bears were one of the obvious winners of the 2024 NFL Draft.
General manager Ryan Poles selected his franchise quarterback in Caleb Williamsone elite wide receiver prospect in Rome Odunze, a development approach in Kiran AmegadjieO best bettor on Tory TaylorIt is a raw but talented edge rusher in Austin Booker.
The work hasn’t stopped for the Poles and their team. The Bears have agreed to trades for several undrafted rookies ahead of next week’s rookie minicamp and have handed out a series of minicamp invitations.
Last off season, the Bears won UDFA gold with quarterback Tyson Bagent. The Poles hope to have similar luck in this year’s classes.
Here’s a look at the UDFAs the Bears have signed, as well as some rookie minicamp invitees:
Signed
Austin Reed, QB, Western Kentucky
Reed, 24, was a productive college quarterback at Western Kentucky. In two seasons at WKU after transferring from West Florida, Reed threw for 8,084 yards and 71 touchdowns on 678-of-1,073 passing with 22 interceptions.
However, Reed played in an offense that featured throwing behind the line of scrimmage on nearly 30% of its throws. Despite the easy throws, Reed still completed just 61.5% of his passes.
Reed and new Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams trained together this offseason in Florida with Will Hewlett.
Keith Randolph, DT, Illinois
The 6-foot-1, 296-pound Randolph is a good run-stopping defensive tackle with limited pass-rush upside.
Last season with the Illini, Randolph recorded 49 total tackles, 1.5 sacks and four tackles for loss in 10 games. Randolph is a space eater who could find a role as a technique, but he lacks the agility to be a disruptor. The Bears need depth on the interior defensive line after losing Justin Jones to the Arizona Cardinals in free agency.
Randolph could fight to be the No. 2 power forward behind Andrew Billings, but it will be an uphill climb.
Jamree Kromah, DL, James Madison
Kromah is a versatile defensive lineman coming off a 10-sack season for James Madison in 2023.
Kromah is an explosive athlete who excels at running the interior. However, he also showed that quickness is effective off the edge.
He posted a relative athletic score of 9.67. Weighing in at 277 pounds, Kromah will need to put on weight if he plans to play defensive back in the NFL.
With the right development, Kromah could become a three-technique rotation player, but will likely be a practice squad or fringe player on the back end of the roster in 2023.
Theo Benedet, OL, UBC
The Bears love athletic, tricky linemen, and Benedet fits that mold.
The University of British Columbia product measured in at 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds during his pro day. He recorded a vertical of 34.5 inches with a broad jump of 9 feet, 6 inches.
He can play tackle or guard and is most effective in a zone scheme like the Bears.
Benedet posted a RAS of 9.03. He won two consecutive JP Metras Trophies, awarded to the best forward in U Sports football, during his final two seasons at UBC.
Odieu Hiliare, WR, Bowling Green
The 5-foot-11, 182-pound receiver caught 45 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Falcons.
Hiliare posted a 4.58 40-yard dash with a 32.5-inch vertical and a 7.21 three-cone drill at his pro day. He has a RAS of 3.33.
Carl Jones, LB, UCLA
A high-performance linebacker, Jones was a special teams ace for the Bruins.
At 217 pounds, Jones will have to transition from edge rusher to off-ball linebacker in the NFL. He was seen as a “tweener” during the pre-draft process.
Brendan Bates, TE, Kentucky
The 6-foot-2, 247-pound tight end ran a 4.66 40 at his pro day while also posting a broad jump of 10 feet, 2 inches.
Bates played more than 1,200 offensive snaps during his career at Kentucky. He was used as a blocking tight end and defensive back at Lexington. He caught 26 passes for 272 yards during his career.
Reddy Steward, CB, Troy
Steward is an underrated cornerback who posted impressive ball production numbers at Troy.
Over the past two seasons, Steward has recorded seven interceptions and 22 pass breakups while earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors both seasons.
Steward faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but could be a practice squad candidate.
Ian Wheeler, R.B., Howard
A versatile running back who was part of a three-man rotation at Howard, Wheeler was a major threat for the Bison as a runner, receiver and returner.
Last season, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound back rushed for 380 yards on 52 carries (7.4 yards per carry). He also caught 19 passes for 119 yards and racked up 494 yards on kickoff returns.
He ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at his pro day while recording a vertical jump of 38.5 inches and a broad jump of 10 feet, 5 inches.
Leon Jones, CB, Arkansas State
He played 20 games (12 starts) over the last two seasons with the Red Wolves, recording 12 pass breakups and 30 tackles.
Like Steward, Jones will have a hard time cracking the 53-man roster given the Bears’ loaded secondary.
Invitations
John Jackson III, WR, USC/Nevada
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound receiver played four years at USC, including the 2022 season with Williams, before transferring to Nevada for the 2023 season.
Last year, Jackson caught 35 passes for 267 yards to lead Nevada.
During his time at USC, Jackson played primarily on special teams. He saw little action on offense, catching five passes for 42 yards.
He is good friends with Williams, who posted on Instagram after the Bears invited Jackson to rookie minicamp.
Travian Blaylock, S, Wisconsin
The 5-foot-10 safety recorded seven tackles and a pass breakup in 13 games (two starts) last season for the Badgers. He missed the 2022 season due to injury.
Hayden Gillum, C, Kansas State
A former defensive end turned center, Gillum allowed just 19 pressures in 13 games last season for the Wildcats. He did not allow a sack, according to Pro Football Focus.
The 6-foot-3, 300-pound center has allowed just 38 pressures and one sack in 761 pass-blocking opportunities over the past two seasons.
John McCartan, EDGE, Oregon State
The 6-foot-2, 253-pound outside linebacker played in 13 games for the Beavers last season and recorded 47 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble.
Other known guests
Marcus Rogers, WR, Troy
Paul Moala, LB, Georgia Tech
Brian Abraham, LB, Yale
Donny Ventrelli, OL, North Dakota
David Satkowski, OL, Stonehill
Noah Atagi, OL, Weber State
