When Washington All-American wide receiver Rome Odunze first arrived at the University of Washington he was a highly touted prospect.

Four-star, top 300 prospect from national powerhouse Bishop Gorman.

But still a kid with a lot to learn about life.

5 years later, Odunze is not just “a” man, he is “THE” man.

In an exclusive interview, Rome opened up about the journey he has been on to grow into his prodigious talent on and off the field.

“Over these last five years I think I’ve matured a lot,” he explained. “I think I’ve grown a lot as well.”

Physical growth happens naturally but growing up and becoming respectable in adulthood is somewhat of a process.

“These past four years have brought the greatest level of growth that I’ve had in my whole life,” he said.

 He and his teammates have been through multiple coaching changes, missing  most of a season from the pandemic, a 4-8 season followed by  Sometimes fans forget there is a lot of normal growing up experiences these budding superstars still have to walk through in their own way.

Like leaving his home and family in Las Vegas for instance.

“Just being away from home, being in a football program like UW, it’s hard, it’s tough,” he explained.. “You have to learn difficult things and it takes a lot of energy to learn those lessons.”

What are some of those lessons? For most college students, it is trying to figure out how to sign up for classes and get used to the new freedom away from Mom and Dad, find your Chem lab, and ultimately finding yourself.

For a high-level College Football player, there are other lessons Rome had to learn.

“I got to learn who I was and learn about the world and how this business stuff works,” he said.  “It was tremendous experience and something I’ll be forever grateful for.”

Before Rome could become “THE” man, he had to learn how to become “a” man… and he acknowledged that is not an easy thing.

“It”s hard to define exactly what a man is but for me it is certain qualities like, being a provider and a security for those around me,” he said.

There’s the world’s definition, but he has developed his own expectations for his life.

“I want to be a person that doesn’t judge people, be gentle when I need to be gentle but when I step on this field being violent when I need to be violent,” he explained.  “(Being a man is) about having that balance and knowing how to play your role in any given situation and circumstance.”

Wise words from this future NFL star.

Knowing he is a role model is a big responsibility for Odunze, but he is grateful for the role models who have shaped him into the man he is today.

“My family are my biggest role models, my grandparents on my dad side from Nigeria and Nigerian grandparents on my mom’s side,” he said.

Hard working, salt of the Earth people.

“They are 4 farmers who came from nothing and I am who I am because of their influence,” he said.

He continues to draw from other important figures in his life.

“My big brother, as well,” he said with a reflective pause.  “He played a big role in me being able to do the things I do.”

He continues to appreciate everyone’s role is helping shape him into a first round draft pick later this month in the NFL Draft.

“I’ve learned a lot of lessons growing up from my family,” he said.

Rome credits his big brother for his bringing him out if his shell socially.

“I’m definitely more social because my older brother,” he said.  “I was a shy kid.”

He provides evidence to those who recall him holding court at the NFL Combine last month.  In front of dozens of national media figures he was asked an off-the-wall question of his ability to land a plane if the captain died.

Finally completely comfortable in his own skin he quipped, “Absolutely not,” Odunze smiled, knowing his response would make headlines. “We are going down. All souls have perished.”

That moment is in stark contrast to the sky but hiding behind his mom in public.

“My mom tells the story of how she would drop us off at the park and I would be by my mom’s side, not trying to go, but my brother would be out finding friends in three seconds,” he recalled.

It is hard to imagine this dynamic young man ever afraid to leave his mother’s side, especially when you see him asserting himself so physically for every contested catch.

Learning to be “the Man” meant learning to be a “big brother” to some of his younger teammates the past few years. “I have tried to play that Big Brother role for the younger receivers, just being a loving, caring teammate.”

When Rome Odunze reaches the NFL, he will be the young guy once again, but now he is ready to be THE Man.

His time at UW, on and off the field has prepared him for all the future success that awaits him.

Rome will not leave UW in the rearview mirror though. Even with the recent changes, Rome will always be a Dawg.

“I’m a Husky for life and I hope I can come back and enjoy the experience of being with all the fans,” he said.  “I just want to see the success of the program and Husky football and the university as a whole.”

His blood will always run purple.

“Washington really did provide me with so many tremendous opportunities,” he said.  “UW is why I’m standing in front of you here today. I will forever be an ambassador of for UW and forever be in debt to this great school.”