From Fan to 2024 NFL Draft Pick: Kiran Amegadjie's Path to the Chicago Bears

Kiran Amegadjie's Pre-Draft Process and Fit with Chicago Bears

Despite his injury, Amegadjie elected to forgo his final season of eligibility to enter the NFL ranks. Recognizing that he would be taking a leap from the FCS to the NFL level, he sought the help of NFL veteran Willie Anderson, who trained the Yale product throughout the offseason. Due to his injury, Amegadjie could not participate in the Senior Bowl, but he still traveled to Mobile, Alabama to get some face time with NFL representatives.

Similarly, Amegadjie was invited to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, but his injury prevented him from participating in the drills portion of the event. Still, the Illinois native was able to log some impressive measurements, including a 36 1/8" arm length, tied for the second-longest of all eligible offensive linemen. Additionally, Amegadjie posted 24 reps of 225 lbs, an impressive feat for an athlete with such an imposing wingspan.

Amegadjie's measurables jump off the page, and his 24 consecutive collegiate starts across two positions provide the heady player with a treasure trove of experience to lean on as a pro. The childhood Bears fan will likely need some development before he can man the left tackle spot full-time, but there is a belief that he can slide into a starting guard spot early in his career. If not, Amegadjie still brings great value early as a reliable, versatile backup that will likely be utilized at some point over a 17-game season, and perhaps even longer with a potential playoff birth.

The Yale product seems to fit exactly what the Chicago Bears are looking for in players to build around - long, physical players who have a deep love and passion for the game of football and specifically, the Bears as a franchise. Amegadjie is just the latest player the team has brought in who grew up in the Chicago-land area, including great players in Cole Kmet and T.J. Edwards.

In fact, Amegadjie will not be the only player on the Bears to attend Hinsdale Central, as 2022 draft selection Doug Kramer is a fellow alumn of the school, as well as a Hinsdale native. This connection is not surprising as Bears Co-Director of Player Personnel Trey Koziol is also a graduate of the high school, where he played tight end before continuing his career at Boston College.

Simply put, it seems that almost everything along his path led Amegadjie to the Chicago Bears. A player passionate for his team - observed through hilarious old Tweets reacting to Bears games in real-time - Amegadjie will bring everything he can to a Bears franchise that he has envisioned being a part of since childhood. Now tasked with keeping Caleb Williams upright throughout his tenure in Chicago, Amegadjie is prepared to continue his exponential climb to the top of the football world.