INDIANAPOLIS — Earlier this week, when it became clear that Rome Odunze was the highest-rated candidate who would actually fully participate in the NFL scouting combine this week, the Washington Huskies wideout asked a question that essentially became a crucial North Star This year's event has become one for elite players.
Why do it?
All three top quarterbacks refused to work on the field, and LSU's Jayden Daniels refused to even be weighed or measured. Top tight end Brock Bowers missed all of his position drills and the 40-yard run. The same goes for the draft's two presumed best wideouts, Malik Nabers from LSU and Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State University, who did not show up for their scheduled media appearance. On Saturday, he essentially left the combine with Odunze as the last remaining elite player after pledging to do literally anything.
At the end of Saturday night, he not only showed up, he also starred. And he of all people did it for longer than anyone realized.
After achieving excellent results in the vertical jump (39 inches) and the 20-yard shuttle (4.03), the 1.80 meter tall, 100 kilogram Odunze ran a strong 4.45 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He followed up with an impeccable series of drills, highlighted by a near-perfect glove, showcasing his ability to stay on the line at full speed and catch passes in quick succession. Then he did something that caught the attention of NFL talent evaluators.
With Lucas Oil Stadium almost empty, Odunze was on the field repeating his three-cone drill over and over again. Although he already had the fourth-highest score (6.88) in his receiver class, he had come up short trying to get a better score. So he left again. And again. And again. A total of five times before the NFL Network cameras noticed he was conducting a drill in a stadium that was virtually deserted.
#Washington Wideout Rome Odunze stayed at Lucas Oil Field late Friday, long after the stadium was empty, trying to break the 6.6-second mark in the three-cone drill. This guy. pic.twitter.com/K6F1ZqN9Jn
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 3, 2024
It was a moment that also caught the attention of the reviewers.
“Wow,” said one Boy Scout. “Damn. Yes, he's a stud. I also think it's the safest pick in this draft [Harrison], but Marvin probably wouldn't have tested like Odunze. Also an incredibly good child.”
“Unanimous All-Juice Team,” another scout wrote.
Without question, it was a telling moment to end a great day – and week – for Odunze, who has also received rave reviews in his interviews with teams. So much so that the likelihood increases that he could replace Nabers as the presumed second wideout after Harrison. That wouldn't be a big surprise considering Odunze has been a first-round pick since his 2022 season with the Huskies.
Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze does a backflip as players celebrate after their practice at the scouting combine on Saturday in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
As for the question of why Odunze did everything – when he could have easily joined Harrison and Nabers in doing nothing – he answered it himself earlier this week.
“That's what it's all about – saying you're the best and fighting for that, right?” Odunze said. “I feel that way, so of course it’s a competition. But all of these guys are ballers too. It's such an honor to be part of the conversation and I'm very grateful to be competing against guys like that. I’m a fan of her game too.”
“For me, [this is] It's about being able to compete with previous and future generations and see where I compare to all of those people. I feel like it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, something you can only do once in a lifetime, so I just wanted to do it to the fullest. I feel like I can excel at it and that’s why I decided to do it.”
He did justice this Saturday. But the most interesting thing about him this week was that teams finally managed to adopt his personality. Not to mention how he mingled with other stars. One personnel executive noted that he had seen USC quarterback Caleb Williams gravitate toward Odunze more than once this week, a reality that likely caused some excitement over the course of the pairing that suggests the Chicago Bears Williams could win with the No. 1. 1 overall pick, then look to move up from #9 to pair Odunze with him.
That could get a little more difficult after Saturday, when Odunze easily cements himself in the draft's elite wideout trio with Harrison and Nabers. Earlier in the week he faced the Bears, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, although that list had likely doubled by Saturday. How high he can climb in this draft remains to be seen, especially considering he may already be in the top six overall. But as Odunze said earlier this week, he believes he is the best wideout in this draft, and he came to Indianapolis to prove it.
“I just think about my versatility on the field [is why I’m the best]said Odunze. “I think I showed all the skills in different facets of my game that I can transfer to the NFL at a high level. And I think who I am as a person, who I'm going to be in the locker room, who I'm going to be in the community, all a plus. … I am always willing to learn and always willing to understand that there is room for improvement regardless of where I am in my career.”
Even if that point in his career comes on a Saturday night at the combine, conducting a drill for the fifth time in a stadium ready to turn off the lights.