Washington stars Rome Odunze, Dillon Johnson make decisions on future
Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze and running back Dillon Johnson are both entering the 2024 NFL Draft.
The duo told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Friday they both plan to forgo their remaining eligibility and move to the NFL. Doing so means Washington will have to replace its top quarterback, its top running back, its top three wide receivers, its top two tight ends, and its star left tackle.
Odunze joins fellow receivers Ja’Lynn Polk and Jalen McMillan in declaring for the draft.
The 6-foot-3 Odunze is ranked by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. as the No. 5 overall player and No. 2 wide receiver in the 2024 draft class. He was a Biletnikoff finalist in 2023 and one of college football’s very best wide receivers.
A first-team All-American, Odunze posted 10 100-yard receiving games on his way to becoming just the second receiver in program history to record back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. He finished the season with an FBS-leading 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns on 92 receptions. He also led the country in contested catches.
Johnson emerged in the second half of the season as a reliable option in the backfield, giving the Huskies a bit more of a dynamic attack.
He totaled 1,195 yards and a Pac-12-best 16 touchdowns on the ground. Johnson exploded for a career day in UW’s win over USC, when he ran for 256 yards and four touchdowns at the L.A. Coliseum. He also had 152 yards and two scores in the Pac-12 Championship.
It was the best rushing season by a UW tailback since Myles Gaskin in 2018. Odunze’s campaign was the best by a receiver in program history.