The Chicago Bears officially announced the additions of 10 undrafted free agents Thursday.
The players will join the team for rookie minicamp this weekend at Halas Hall and will be part of the 90-man roster when training camp begins in July.
When it’s time to cut the roster to 53 players at the end of camp, it’s not uncommon for one or two undrafted rookies to make it. Could one of the following players carve out a role on the 2025 Bears?
Most of these additions were previously reported. But here’s a look at each of the undrafted rookies and what he brings to the table.
Major Burns, safety, LSU
A Louisiana native, Burns began his college career at Georgia before transferring to LSU after one season. He appeared in 45 college games (39 at LSU and six at Georgia) and made 33 starts for the Tigers. As a junior in 2023, Burns led LSU with 93 tackles. He had two interceptions, 2½ sacks and 11 tackles for a loss in his college career.
Xavier Carlton, edge rusher, California
Carlton recorded a career-high nine sacks last season, his third at Cal after transferring from Utah. Over three seasons for the Golden Bears, he totaled 18 sacks and 23 tackles for a loss. At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, Carlton has the length the Bears look for in an edge rusher. His arms measured 34 5/8 inches at his pro day. The Bears did not select an edge rusher in the draft, which could open the door for an undrafted rookie to compete for a roster spot.
Power Echols, linebacker, North Carolina
Echols appeared in 52 games over four seasons at North Carolina. He earned third-team All-ACC honors as a junior in 2023, when he totaled 102 tackles with 5½ tackles for a loss. In four college seasons, Echols totaled 306 tackles, four interceptions, four forced fumbles and 13 passes defended.
Luke Elkin, long snapper, Iowa
Elkin was the Hawkeyes special teams captain last season. The Wisconsin native appeared in 53 games over four seasons at Iowa. Notably, he snapped the ball to former Hawkeye and current Bears punter Tory Taylor. The Bears did not re-sign longtime long snapper Patrick Scales this offseason, although they did retain veteran Scott Daly.
Deion Hankins, running back, Texas State
Hankins is a bigger back at 6 feet, 228 pounds. He spent five seasons at UTEP before transferring to Texas State for his final year of eligibility. At UTEP, the El Paso native was a two-time second-team All-Conference USA selection and left as the Miners’ No. 7 all-time rusher with 2,604 yards. He ran for only 272 yards (4.4 per carry) and two touchdowns last fall for Texas State but did have a 117-yard game against Louisiana-Monroe.
Tysheem Johnson, safety, Oregon
A two-year starter at Oregon, Johnson grabbed five interceptions over 27 games for the Ducks. He also defended 12 passes and totaled seven tackles for a loss and one sack. Before Oregon, he played two seasons at Ole Miss. Johnson showed a nose for the football in college but has a smaller frame (5-10, 195).
Jonathan Kim, kicker, Michigan State
Kim went 19-for-21 on field goals last season, including a long of 55 yards. In 2023 he was 13-for-18 with a long of 58 yards. He showed an ability to make kicks from distance and was one of 20 finalists for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s best kicker in 2024. A Virginia native, Kim played six seasons of college football after beginning his career at North Carolina.
JP Richardson, wide receiver, TCU
Richardson ended his college career with 40 consecutive games (at TCU and Oklahoma State) with at least one reception. During his senior season in 2024, he totaled 57 receptions for 733 yards and two touchdowns. He also earned honorable mention for Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year. He returned 23 punts last season, averaging 11 yards per return and scoring an 89-yard touchdown against Kansas.
Jereme Robinson, edge rusher, Kansas
Like Carlton, Robinson is an edge rusher with a huge wingspan. At 6-3, 255, he has 34 5/8-inch arms. He totaled 14 sacks in 48 games at Kansas, including 10 sacks over the last two seasons. An Alabama native, Robinson earned honorable mention for the All-Big 12 team in 2024. He played with 2024 Bears fifth-round draft pick Austin Booker at Kansas.
Jahdae Walker, wide receiver, Texas A&M
Walker, an Ohio native, transferred to Texas A&M before the 2023 season after beginning his career at Division II Grand Valley State in Michigan. Over two seasons with the Aggies, he totaled 64 catches for 935 yards and four touchdowns. His 29 catches for 345 yards last season were both third on the team.