Staley Da Bear
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- Mar 16, 2019
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The Bears on Wednesday signed five of their seven 2021 draft picks to three-year contracts.
The group includes fifth-round tackle Larry Borom, sixth-round running back Khalil Herbert, sixth-round receiver Dazz Newsome, sixth-round cornerback Thomas Graham Jr. and seventh-round nose tackle Khyiris Tonga.
Borom (6-5, 332) appeared in 33 games with 19 starts the past three seasons at Missouri. He started all eight games he played in 2020 at right tackle after opening 11 contests in 2019—eight at right tackle, two at left guard and one at left tackle.
Herbert (5-9, 204) played four seasons at Kansas from 2016-19 before transferring to Virginia Tech last year. In 46 career games, he rushed for 2,918 yards and 22 touchdowns on 475 carries and caught 34 passes for 297 yards and 1 TD. Last year he played in 11 games for the Hokies, rushing for a career-high 1,183 yards and eight TDs on 155 carries and catching 10 passes for 179 yards and one TD.
Newsome (5-10, 190) appeared in 43 games over four seasons at North Carolina, catching 188 passes for 2,435 yards and 18 touchdowns. He had a breakout junior year in 2019, establishing career highs in all receiving categories with 72 receptions, 1,018 yards and 10 TDs. Last season he followed with 54 catches for 684 yards and six TDs. Newsome also returned punts the past three years, averaging 11.1 yards with one touchdown on 48 returns.
Graham (5-10, 195) opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Prior to that, he appeared in 40 games over three seasons at Oregon from 2017-19, registering 183 tackles, eight interceptions, 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 32 pass breakups.
Tonga (6-4, 321) played in 47 games in four seasons at BYU, registering 130 tackles, 16.0 tackles-for-loss, 8.5 sacks, 12 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
The only two 2021 draft picks who remain unsigned are first-round quarterback Justin Fields and second-round tackle Teven Jenkins.