Booker gettings some reps with starters, increasing his size during camp |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - The only defensive player the Chicago Bears drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft was defensive lineman Austin Booker. Even though he only played 18 games in college, he decided to declare for the NFL Draft the first year he was eligible.
While he was questioned about his decision, organized team activities (OTAs) and training camp proved to him that he made the right choice. “I feel like it’s been (the) right decision since the jump. I had some great plays in the rookie camp,” Booker said. “I had some great plays in OTAs and I feel like this camp, I’ve also had a lot of great plays. So, I feel like it’s just continually reassuring it. I feel like it wasn’t just one big thing, but I definitely feel like I belong.” Chicago traded back into the draft to select Booker in the fifth round. He was one of five players the Bears selected in that draft, including quarterback Caleb Williams and wide receiver Rome Odunze. Williams and Odunze are both starters on the offense, although Booker has not been able to play against them really often. When he does get to play against the starting offense, it has been a beneficial experience. “It’s been great. I’ve been able to see what the ones (offensive line) looks like and getting a better look than going against the twos,” Booker said. “So, it’s been a great opportunity and just make the best out of it.” Booker declared when he did because of his raw talent. In his final collegiate season with Kansas, he recorded eight sacks. However, adjusting to the speed of the game at the NFL level has been difficult. “The speed goes up a little bit, but you just got to get off the ball faster,” Booker said. I feel like I can still compete at this level, and I’m at the same level as all the other guys or better. So, just getting in and showing that I belong and showing that I can dominate at the highest level is a big thing, and I think I’ve done nothing but show that throughout this camp.” For a defensive lineman in the NFL, Booker is a bit undersized. He is about 240 pounds, a stark contrast to defensive lineman Justin Jones who played with the Bears the past two seasons. Losing body fat is always a good thing, however, and Booker did lose a few pounds of fat between OTAs and training camp. “I lost four pounds of body fat over the break. So, I’m feeling great, running around fast and just trying to maintain or grow my size just a little bit during the season,” Booker said. “But, with long practices and long days, there’s not much you can do losing 2,500 calories (during) practice. But, I’m constantly getting bigger. I feel like I’ve gotten bigger since the start of camp.” His size would be ideal for a defensive end, which is perhaps why the Bears are experimenting with lining him as an end. While that is not something he ever did during his collegiate career, it is certainly something Booker is open to doing now. “It’s new to me, but I’m all ears (because) as many ways as we can confuse the O-linemen is great,” Booker said. So, we had a little twist game going where I popped back out, just bought the guard, and then popped back out for decks. But they’re really smart guys, and I’m excited for what we’re going to do this year.” Booker did not see any action during Chicago’s first preseason game in the Hall of Fame game against the Houston Texans, although the Bears won the game 21-17 after it was terminated near the end of the third quarter right after the Texans missed a 58-yard field goal. He may see some action in the Bears’ next preseason game against the Buffalo Bills on Sat. Aug. 10 (Noon / NFL Network).
