The Chicago Bears officially announced the additions of 10 undrafted free agents Thursday.
The players will join the team for rookie minicamp this weekend at Halas Hall and will be part of the 90-man roster when training camp begins in July.
When it’s time to cut the roster to 53 players at the end of camp, it’s not uncommon for one or two undrafted rookies to make it. Could one of the following players carve out a role on the 2025 Bears?
Most of these additions were previously reported. But here’s a look at each of the undrafted rookies and what he brings to the table.
Mississippi LSU Football
Mississippi wide receiver Tre Harris goews up for a pass against LSU safety Major Burns (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Oct. 12, 2024, in Baton Rouge, La. Matthew Hinton, Associated Press
Major Burns, safety, LSU
A Louisiana native, Burns began his college career at Georgia before transferring to LSU after one season. He appeared in 45 college games (39 at LSU and six at Georgia) and made 33 starts for the Tigers. As a junior in 2023, Burns led LSU with 93 tackles. He had two interceptions, 2½ sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in his college career.
People are also reading…
California Auburn Football
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne scrambles away from California linebacker Xavier Carlton (44) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Sept. 7, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. Butch Dill, Associated Press
Xavier Carlton, edge rusher, California
Carlton recorded a career-high nine sacks last season, his third at Cal after transferring from Utah. Over three seasons for the Golden Bears, he totaled 18 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, Carlton has the length the Bears look for in an edge rusher. His arms measured 34 5/8 inches at his pro day. The Bears did not select an edge rusher in the draft, which could open the door for an undrafted rookie to compete for a roster spot.
ACC Preview Football
FILE - Georgia Tech running back Dontae Smith is stopped by North Carolina linebacker Power Echols (23) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Oct. 28, 2023, in Atlanta. John Bazemore, Associated Press
Power Echols, linebacker, North Carolina
Echols appeared in 52 games over four seasons at North Carolina. He earned third-team All-ACC honors as a junior in 2023, when he totaled 102 tackles with 5½ tackles for a loss. In four college seasons, Echols totaled 306 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and 13 passes defended.
Luke Elkin, long snapper, Iowa
Elkin was the Hawkeyes special teams captain last season. The Wisconsin native appeared in 53 games over four seasons at Iowa. Notably, he snapped the ball to former Hawkeye and current Bears punter Tory Taylor. The Bears did not re-sign longtime long snapper Patrick Scales this offseason, although they did retain veteran Scott Daly.
Deion Hankins, running back, Texas State
Hankins is a bigger back at 6 feet, 228 pounds. He spent five seasons at UTEP before transferring to Texas State for his final year of eligibility. At UTEP, the El Paso native was a two-time second-team All-Conference USA selection and left as the Miners’ No. 7 all-time rusher with 2,604 yards. He ran for only 272 yards (4.4 per carry) and two touchdowns last fall for Texas State but did have a 117-yard game against Louisiana-Monroe.
Tysheem Johnson, safety, Oregon
A two-year starter at Oregon, Johnson grabbed five interceptions over 27 games for the Ducks. He also defended 12 passes and totaled seven tackles for a loss and one sack. Before Oregon, he played two seasons at Ole Miss. Johnson showed a nose for the football in college but has a smaller frame (5-10, 195).
Jonathan Kim, kicker, Michigan State
Kim went 19-for-21 on field goals last season, including a long of 55 yards. In 2023 he was 13-for-18 with a long of 58 yards. He showed an ability to make kicks from distance and was one of 20 finalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker in 2024. A Virginia native, Kim played six seasons of college football after beginning his career at North Carolina.
JP Richardson, wide receiver, TCU
Richardson ended his college career with 40 consecutive games (at TCU and Oklahoma State) with at least one reception. During his senior season in 2024, he totaled 57 receptions for 733 yards and two touchdowns. He also earned honorable mention for Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He returned 23 punts last season, averaging 11 yards per return and scoring an 89-yard touchdown against Kansas.
Jereme Robinson, edge rusher, Kansas
Like Carlton, Robinson is an edge rusher with a huge wingspan. At 6-3, 255, he has 34 5/8-inch arms. He totaled 14 sacks in 48 games at Kansas, including 10 sacks over the last two seasons. An Alabama native, Robinson earned honorable mention for the All-Big 12 team in 2024. He played with 2024 Bears fifth-round draft pick Austin Booker at Kansas.
Jahdae Walker, wide receiver, Texas A&M
Walker, an Ohio native, transferred to Texas A&M before the 2023 season after beginning his career at Division II Grand Valley State in Michigan. Over two seasons with the Aggies, he totaled 64 catches for 935 yards and four touchdowns. His 29 catches for 345 yards last season were both third on the team.
Today in sports history: Dec. 8
1940: Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 73-0
1940: Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 73-0
1940 — The Chicago Bears beat the Washington Redskins 73-0 for the most one-sided victory in NFL Championship play.
Bill Osmanski (9), the Chicago Bears' full back, is under full steam racing for the Washington Redskins goal line on the second play of the NFL Championship game in Washington, D.C., Dec. 8, 1940. Osmanski went on a reverse around left end and ate up 68 yards for a touchdown. The Bears slaughtered the Skins, 73-0. Washington players trying to put a halt to Osmanski's gallop are Ed Justice (13), Dick Farman (21) and Jimmy Johnston (31). AP FILE
1948: Southern Methodist junior Doak Walker wins Heisman Trophy
1948: Southern Methodist junior Doak Walker wins Heisman Trophy
1948 — Southern Methodist junior Doak Walker wins the Heisman Trophy. Walker over three years scores 303 points, including 40 touchdowns and 60 points after touchdowns.
Doak Walker of Southern Methodist, selected by sportswriters and broadcasters as winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy as the nation's outstanding college football player, holds award in New York December 7, 1948. (AP Photo) AP FILE
1961: Wilt Chamberlain scores 78 points, grabs 43 rebounds in triple OT loss
1961: Wilt Chamberlain scores 78 points, grabs 43 rebounds in triple OT loss
1961 — Philadelphia’s Wilt Chamberlain scores 78 points and grabs 43 rebounds in a 151-147 triple overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Elgin Baylor leads the Lakers with 63 points.
Wilt Chamberlain, the Philadelphia Warriors towering basketball star, balances a ball on a fingertip after a workout in Philadelphia, Jan. 12, 1961. (AP Photo/Bill Ingraham) AP FILE
1977: Texas running back Earl Campbell wins Heisman Trophy
1977: Texas running back Earl Campbell wins Heisman Trophy
1977 — Texas running back Earl Campbell wins the Heisman Trophy.
Earl Campbell of the University of Texas gets a kiss from his mother, Ann, as he keeps one hand on the Heisman Trophy after it was awarded to him at night in New York, Thursday, Dec. 8, 1977. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine) AP FILE
2002: Rich Gannon sets NFL record with 10th 300-yard game of season
2002: Rich Gannon sets NFL record with 10th 300-yard game of season
2002 — Oakland quarterback Rich Gannon sets an NFL record with his 10th 300-yard game of the season, throwing for 328 yards in the Raider 27-7 win over San Diego and breaking a tie with Dan Marino, Warren Moon and Kurt Warner.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon shouts orders to teammates during a Raiders' drive against the San Diego Chargers in this Dec. 8, 2002 photo in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) AP FILE
2007: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow becomes first sophomore to win Heisman Trophy
2007: Florida quarterback Tim Tebow becomes first sophomore to win Heisman Trophy
2007 — Florida quarterback Tim Tebow becomes the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy. He beats out Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, the first player since 1949 to finish second in consecutive seasons.
Florida quarterback Tim Tebow holds up the Heisman Trophy after winning the award Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/Kelly Kline, Pool) AP FILE
2011: Three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols agrees to $254 million, 10-year contract with LA Angels
2011: Three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols agrees to $254 million, 10-year contract with LA Angels
2011 — Three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols agrees to a $254 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels on the final day of baseball’s winter meetings. Pujols’ contract is the second-highest in baseball history and only the third to break the $200 million barrier, following Alex Rodriguez’s $252 million, 10-year deal with Texas before the 2001 season and A-Rod’s $275 million, 10-year contract with the Yankees before the 2008 season.
A person is reflected in the window of a store selling St. Louis Cardinals merchandise, displaying a photo of baseball player Albert Pujols, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) AP FILE
2012: Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel becomes first freshman to win Heisman Trophy
2012: Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel becomes first freshman to win Heisman Trophy
2012 — Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel becomes the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, taking college football’s top individual prize after a record-breaking debut. Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o finishes a distant second and Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein is third in the voting.
Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M speaks to the media after becoming the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy, Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Henny Ray Abrams) AP FILE
2013: Zach Johnson rallies to beat Tiger Woods at World Challenge
2013: Zach Johnson rallies to beat Tiger Woods at World Challenge
2013 — Zach Johnson rallies from four shots behind with eight holes to play and beats Tiger Woods, the No. 1 player in golf, at the World Challenge. Johnson holes out from a drop area for par on the last hole to force a playoff and wins when Woods misses a 5-foot par putt on the first extra hole.
Zach Johnson after he holed out from the drop zone on the 18th hole during the final round of the Northwestern Mutual World Challenge golf tournament at Sherwood Country Club, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) AP FILE
0 Comments
Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter
Sent weekly directly to your inbox!