It’s no secret that Washington Huskies wide receiver Rome Odunze was one of the best players in the country in 2023. He accumulated 92 receptions for 1,640 yards and 15 total touchdowns (13 receiving, 1 rushing, 1 punt return) during the team’s run to the national championship and was honored as one of the nation’s best pass catchers.
He was voted as a consensus First Team All-American, as well as being named to the All-Pac-12 first team and finished third in voting for the Biletnikoff Award. Odunze was also named as the nation’s No. 7 player in 2023 by Pro Football Focus and came through in clutch moments throughout the season for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
Playing through a significant amount of pain for the Huskies after suffering a broken rib and punctured lung against Arizona, he turned in one of his best performances of the year two weeks later against No. 8 Oregon. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound receiver pulled in 8 receptions for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the game-winning score.
The All-American also asserted his place on Washington’s Mount Rushmore of wide receivers with his spectacular season. His 1,640 yards were the most for a Husky pass catcher in a single season, while his 92 catches were the second most behind Reggie Williams.
Odunze’s 214 career receptions and 3,272 yards are both No. 2 in UW history, also behind Williams and his 24 receiving touchdowns tied him with Dante Pettis for No. 3 all time behind Mario Bailey and Jermaine Kearse.
He put up gaudy numbers throughout the season, surpassing 100 receiving yards in 10 of UW’s 15 games while coming through in clutch moments time after time. From his multiple touchdown games against Utah and Oregon State to his 23-yard rush on fourth down in the Apple Cup against Washington State to set up the game-winning field goal, Odunze always delivered when he was called on.
Now, he will turn his attention to the 2024 NFL Draft and has become one of the most sought-after prospects in the draft and is close to a lock to hear his name called inside the top 10 picks.
As Huskies Wire looks back on the 10 best players of the 2023 season, enjoy some of their best photos from our USA TODAY network of photographers.