The Washington Huskies captivated fans with their win in the Pac-12 Championship and a coveted College Football Playoff berth. The climax came at the Sugar Bowl, where they battled the Texas Longhorns and secured their place in the CFP National Championship Game against the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines. Despite their earlier successes, Washington’s momentum waned when faced with the formidable Michigan squad in a decisive matchup.
The team with two official national titles eventually succumbed to the prowess of the Wolverines. As Washington’s trail cooled, the aftermath saw several Michigan players declare their NFL drafts. Now, wide receiver Rome Odunze and running back Dillon Johnson followed their paths.
Rome Odunze, Dillon Johnson enter 2024 NFL Draft
Rome Odunze has decided to enter the NFL draft after opting to return to Washington for another season last year. This announcement, made on Friday, marks a significant shift in the team’s receiving corps, via ESPN.
He announced his plans via a statement. “I think this has been something that’s been brewing for a long time,” Odunze said, via Pete Thamel of ESPN.com. “Not just the last week or so. I wanted to do whatever I could this season and give it one last ride.”
Washington WR Rome Odunze has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, per@PeteThamel pic.twitter.com/BiBFqZKj7a
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) January 13, 2024
The Bishop Gorman (Nev.) High School product often finds himself in the discussion as the second-best wide receiver, following Ohio State Buckeyes’ Marvin Harrison Jr. Others contend that LSU’s Malik Nabers might hold that spot. Nevertheless, both Odunze and Nabers are expected to be early picks in the upcoming NFL draft.
Accompanying Odunze in this announcement is Dillon Johnson. He decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL draft. This decision comes as a surprise to those who speculated he might return for another season.
The Greenville, Mississippi, native time with the Huskies showcased his versatility more often. He was more than just a reliable receiver out of the backfield. However, injuries plagued the young star’s final games, including a foot issue, an aggravated foot problem, a knee injury in the Sugar Bowl victory, and an ankle sprain in Washington’s loss to Michigan.
Washington duo’s performance this season
Odunze’s final collegiate season was nothing short of remarkable. With an impressive 92 catches, 1,640 receiving yards, and 13 touchdowns, he played a pivotal role in securing Washington’s place in the CFP national championship game. His partnership with signal-caller Michael Penix Jr. proved to be dynamic as the duo led the Huskies to clinch the Pac-12 title and a Sugar Bowl victory. Penix also announced his NFL draft earlier.
This was on Odunze.
— Noah Green (@Noah_FF_Green) January 9, 2024
He was supposed to turn that route back out to the sideline over his right shoulder. Dunno why he was still facing in towards the corner and safety.
Penix threw it like he would break it out and Rome turns himself into a pretzel.
pic.twitter.com/mBxdsKP3s3
The WR’s outstanding contributions earned him consensus All-America recognition. His career statistics of 3,272 yards, 214 catches, and 24 touchdowns rank him prominently in Washington’s record books.
Meanwhile, Johnson also displayed exceptional athleticism by concluding the season with an impressive 1,195 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He averaged 5.1 yards per carry despite struggling with back-to-back injuries. A highlight of the RB’s season came in a nationally televised game in Los Angeles, where he exploded for 256 yards on 26 carries, scoring four times in the Huskies’ thrilling 52-42 victory over USC. This remarkable performance secured his place in school history with the fifth-highest rushing total ever recorded.
