Austin Booker didn’t get to start in college football in 2023. His eight sacks and 12 tackles for a loss made people wonder why it took so long. He never got opportunities in Minnesota, which is why he transferred to Kansas. Sometimes, it takes the right situation. The Chicago Bears certainly noticed. They traded back into the 2024 draft to acquire him. They feel he has the foundation for a high-end pass rusher in the NFL, exhibiting athleticism, length, and deceptive power despite a thinner frame.
His tape might not be long, but it had enough moments to catch their attention. If there is one play that stood out, it came in one of the biggest games of the year. Booker’s coach, Taiwo Onatolu, revealed it to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune.
“I would say Oklahoma was a big game. It was the last play of the game. They were ranked top six in the country. We were playing them at home. There was a timeout. We said, “Hey, we’ve got to get to the quarterback.” He got off the ball so fast and it was Dillon Gabriel. He made him step up in the pocket and throw a bad pass and then we won the game. That’s a memorable one because he forced a bad throw in the last second of the game.”
The play in question happened with three seconds on the clock. Oklahoma trailed 38-33 with the ball at Kansas’ 23-yard line. The Jayhawks only had a three-man rush called. Gabriel should’ve had plenty of time to throw. Instead, Booker blew past the left tackle to force an early pass. It was Kansas’ first win against the Sooners since 1997.
Don’t forget what the Bears constantly preach under this regime. They want players willing and able to give 100% effort for 60 minutes. They demand guys are in peak condition. This way, they can still impact the game late in the 4th quarter when everybody is tired. Booker demonstrated that in this play. It wasn’t just that the left tackle was slow out of his stance. The edge rusher exploded out of his. Gabriel had no shot. That is the type of motor the Bears want on their defense.
It isn’t a surprise they chose to trade back into the draft for him. Austin Booker might not be a finished product, but he has the building blocks to become a menace for NFL tackles. His size, length, and burst are already there. He needs to bulk up and expand his arsenal of pass rush moves. The first will be solved by the Bears’ strength staff. Head coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Eric Washington should help with the latter. This kid is in good hands.
