This rookie is getting a shot at first-team reps!!
Bears writer Sean Hammond reported that, with Lucas Patrick out and Doug Kramer repping with the first team, Dieter Eiselen is taking snaps with the second team. Sam Mustipher has been exclusively at guard. Let me remind you that starting center Lucas Patrick was carted off Thursday,s practice and that he will need to have surgery on his hand in the upcoming days...
While Kramer is just a rookie and hasn't played a single snap in the NFL, he does have plenty of experience at the college level. He started 48 games at center with the Illini.
In 2019, he was voted team captain, starting all 12 regular-season games at center. He helped lead the Illini to the Redbox Bowl. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mentions and was ranked as one of the best centers in the nation by Pro Football Focus.
The following year, Kramer started five games at center, earning another All-Big Ten honorable mention.
Finally, during his final season, he started in 11 games for Illinois, earning All-Big Ten second-team honors. He also was recognized as a Campbell Trophy semifinalist.
It will be very interesting to see where he fits on the depth chart. One thing I absolutely love about him is that he is very bright. This is so important because, in an ideal world, you want your backup lineman to be able to play multiple positions because you can't dress 10 linemen every week. Kramer is one of the most intelligent prospects in this year's draft class.
