Caleb Williams 'Eager' to See Friend John Jackson III in camp
The Chicago Bears are keen on creating a welcoming environment for their new quarterback, Caleb Williams, by incorporating his closest ally into the team. Aaron Leming from 247 Sports and Windy City Gridiron's report from Tuesday, April 30, reveals that the Bears have signed Williams' "best friend," wide receiver John Jackson III.
"TJ Houshmandzadeh mentioned on @WaddleandSilvy that the #Bears brought in Caleb Williams' best friend as a UDFA [undrafted free agent]," Leming shared on X.
Specific details about Jackson's contract with the Bears remain undisclosed.
Caleb Williams and John Jackson III: A USC Connection Rekindled in Chicago
Both athletes are alumni of USC, where they played together during the 2022 season. That year, Williams clinched the Heisman Trophy during his first year at USC after transferring from Oklahoma, while Jackson was in his third season with the Trojans. During their shared season, Jackson recorded minimal stats with only one reception for three yards, adding to a modest total of five catches for 42 yards throughout his USC tenure, according to Football Reference. He later transferred to Nevada in 2023, where he improved, making 35 receptions for 267 yards in 12 games, although he did not score any collegiate touchdowns.
As Williams continues his football journey, having been selected first overall by the Bears in the NFL draft, Jackson will strive to secure a place in a receiver group that includes talents like DJ Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze, the No. 9 overall pick from Washington.
Building Bonds: Williams and Rome Odunze's Budding Friendship
Odunze and Williams have quickly become good friends, frequently seen working out together before the draft. Their camaraderie became a talking point on social media when they realized they were on the same flight to the draft in Detroit.
Williams' enthusiasm was palpable backstage when the Bears announced Odunze as their No. 9 pick.
"[@CALEBcsw]�s loving the pick 😏" � Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) April 25, 2024, 9:27 PM.
Entering the NFL, Williams finds himself surrounded by an impressive array of talent. In addition to Odunze, he will connect with established stars like Moore and Allen, alongside promising newcomers. His targets will also include tight end Cole Kmet and dynamic running back D'Andre Swift, a recent free-agent acquisition.
While the Bears' offensive line showed middling performance last year, finishing 19th according to Pro Football Focus, there is optimism for improvement. Zoltán Buday of PFF noted, "Once the young group was at full strength, it flashed enough promise to make Bears fans optimistic about the future."
The team bolstered their line by selecting Kiran Amegadjie as a left tackle in the third round (No. 75 overall) of the recent draft, shortly after picking right tackle Darnell Wright with their 2023 first-round pick.
| POLL | ||
11 MAI | 74 ANSWERS Caleb Williams 'Eager' to See Friend John Jackson III in camp Do you think personal relationships affect team performance? | ||
| Yes | 56 | 75.7 % |
| No | 18 | 24.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
