The Chicago Bears could go in a lot of directions in this year’s NFL Draft, but one prospect that will almost certainly be on their radar just announced that he will be entering the draft.
That prospect is wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who just won his second national championship in three years at the University of Alabama.
Ridley, widely considered to be the top wide receiver available in this year’s draft class, hauled in 63 catches for 967 yards and five touchdowns in his final season with the Crimson Tide. He had four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown in the team’s overtime victory over Georgia in the national title game, and he will enter the draft to a lot of hype and fanfare in a deep draft class without a lot of top-flight options.
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LAKE FOREST, IL - JANUARY 09: New Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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LAKE FOREST, IL - JANUARY 09: New Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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LAKE FOREST, IL - JANUARY 09: New Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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LAKE FOREST, IL - JANUARY 09: New Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy speaks to the media during an introductory press conference at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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LAKE FOREST, IL - JANUARY 09: General manager Ryan Pace (L) and new head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears pose after an introductory press conference at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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LAKE FOREST, IL - JANUARY 09: President and CEO Ted Phillips (L) and chairman George McCaskey listen to new head coach Matt Nagy during an introductory press conference at Halas Hall on January 9, 2018 in Lake Forest, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
“My experience at Alabama has been exceptional. I have a lifetime of unforgettable memories and friendships that shall endure forever,” Ridley said in a statement announcing his entrance into the draft.
The Bears currently own the number eight selection in the draft, and will undoubtedly be looking for offensive weapons with which to surround Mitchell Trubisky.
