Kansas Perspective: Get to Know New Bears DE Austin Booker

There was quite an uproar when Chicago Bears' general manager Ryan Poles selected Tory Taylor with a fourth-round pick instead of addressing the defensive line. But Poles wasn't done at the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears dealt a 2025 fourth-round pick to acquire a 2024 fifth-round pick, which Poles used to select Kansas defensive lineman Austin Booker. Continuing our "Meet the Newest Chicago Bears" series, we spoke to Brendan Dzwierzynski who covers Kansas for 580 WIBW in Topeka.

Austin Booker: From Kansas to Chicago

Sunny Verma: Per PFF, in 2023 Austin Booker had 38 QB pressures, nine sacks, and a 14.8% pass-rush win rate. Describe to us watching the "Austin Booker Experience" over the last couple of seasons at Kansas.

Brendan Dzwierzynski: Honestly, the "Austin Booker Experience" was probably best described as a pleasant surprise. There was a fair amount of excitement when he committed through the portal prior to the 2023 season, but he exploded on the scene immediately and quickly became one of the best players on a much-improved defense. He was KU's most consistent front-seven player, and you could see his high ceiling as early as Week 2 when he was arguably the best player on the field in a home win over Illinois. Booker quickly became KU's best edge player since Dorance Armstrong Jr., and he was a three-year standout. The fact that Booker looked that good that quickly was pretty special.

Sunny: I saw some mock drafts peg Booker to go as high as the third round in this year's draft and even higher if he had stayed in school and waited for the 2025 NFL Draft. What would you consider Austin's strengths as a player who has various draft evaluators so high on his potential?

Brendan: The thing that always stood out to me was his smarts as a pass rusher. In a film room piece I wrote last year following that aforementioned Kansas vs. Illinois game, I specifically pointed out one of Booker's two sacks and how he was able to use power and patience to both win against his blocker and then get to the quarterback. He also has a quick first step and a relentless motor, which made him a weapon in scramble drills as quarterbacks tried to extend plays. I still feel like the sky's the limit for him.

Sunny: The fact that he fell to the fifth round suggests that there are still facets of his game that Austin needs to work on. What would you say they are?

Brendan: Without question, the biggest concern is his size. And maybe "concern" isn't even the best word for it because he can bulk up in an NFL weight and nutrition program and can get up to a more prototypical defensive end size. He has good burst and decent power for his size, but bigger tackles will be able to counter that at the next level. The traits are all there, but I'm not sure that he's physically ready to play a lion's share of snaps this early in his career.

Sunny: What can you tell us about what Austin Booker was like off the football field?

Brendan: He's a good kid, confident without being overly cocky. I had a chance to speak with him on 580 Sports Talk in Topeka, Kansas during last season and that confidence was apparent right away, and it seemed to me like he got comfortable with his new surroundings quickly after transitioning from Minnesota to Kansas. He never got into any trouble off the field and was a fan favorite right off the rip when he got his chance.

Sunny: The Chicago Bears have a need on the defensive line and in particular depth for the future. Would you say this is one of the more ideal situations that Booker could have gotten himself drafted into?

Brendan: I think this is a "yes and no" situation. Yes, because who wouldn't want to land in a spot where there are a ton of snaps available right away? No, because I do have worries about his functional size right away. I don't think he'll need a redshirt type of season as a rookie, I'm just not sure how impactful he'll be in the first part of the season. That said, if he puts in the work I think he'll be able to factor into the rotation by November and December, and I have no reason to doubt his ability to work and grow at this point.

Sunny: Any other interesting anecdotes or stories about Austin you're aware of that Bears fans might find interesting?

Brendan: Kelvin Banks is the left tackle for the Texas Longhorns and is widely considered to be one of the best tackle prospects in the 2025 draft class. After facing Kansas last season, he said that Booker was the best pass rusher he faced all year. Not anyone from Oklahoma, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, the other major programs in the Big 12. No, it was Austin Booker from Kansas. He barely played under P.J. Fleck at Minnesota but in one year at KU was able to ball out and become a draft pick. I'm excited for him, I think there's still a ton of untapped potential there.

Thanks again to Brendan for joining us and offering us some insight on Austin Booker. You can follow his work below:

X/Twitter: @BrendanDzw
Analyst, Blue Wings Rising at Sports Illustrated
580 Sports Talk on 580 WIBW in Topeka