The Bears’ fifth-round pick already knows one of his new teammates.
Missouri offensive tackle Larry Borom spent part of the offseason training alongside quarterback Justin Fields at Proactive Sports Performance in Westlake Village, California, near Los Angeles.
“He’s a hard worker,” said the 6-4, 327-pound Borom, who started 16 games at right tackle over hte past two years. “He’s going to do extra. He’s not the guy that is going to be trying to rush out of the room. He’s going to do a lot more than everyone else.”
He does it humbly.
“As a person, he’s a real friendly, goofy guy,” Borom said. “He’s an old[-school] person at the end of the day. He’s caring, he’s helpful, he’s looking to help people any chance he can.”
Borom can help Fields by blocking for him — eventually. He figures to be a developmental project at tackle, though he played two games at guard in college.
The Bears consider offensive line coach Juan Castillo one of the best teachers on young blockers in the league, and are eager to let him work with both Borom and second-round pick Teven Jenkins.
“The only direction he’s going to take me is up,” Borom said. “He’s one of the best in the game. He’s a guru. We had our Zoom meeting and he’s an up-tempo guy and he brings the juice and the energy.
“I honestly fell in love with it at the meeting. That’s what I like. That’s what I want to bring to the room as well. It was major.”
A Detroit native, Borom grew up playing basketball — his dad is 6-8 — but said he fell in love with football in high school. While he said he wants to start “as soon as possible,” Borom figures to serve as a backup this season. If the Bears determine that Jenkins can play left tackle at some point, that could open a spot for Borom.
The 22-year-old said he has a “ton of excitement” to play for the Bears — and with Fields.
“He was out training where I was training — I know him,” he said. “It’s a lot of good things going on for the organization and it’s a blessing to be part of.”
