Something that became apparent almost immediately when the Chicago Bears drafted Dazz Newsome last month? The guy is fun. Not just thanks to his likable personality. His play on the field is easy to fall in love with too. One thing about the kid that is obvious from the jump is he has an incredible knack for big plays in big moments. Every time North Carolina needed a tough catch, he was almost always the guy who ended up making it.

This isn’t something he discovered randomly in college either. Newsome was doing stuff like that since he started playing football. In fact, he was doing it at other positions too. Not just wide receiver. Back when he played at Hampton High School, he was making crazy plays on defense too. None were more eye-popping than the 103-yard interception return for a touchdown against rival Phoebus. The play itself was amazing, but how it started was easily the best part.

Newsome was unstoppable that day.

Keep in mind both of those teams were considered the best of the best. Each was 6-0 going into the game. So it was expected to be a barn burner. Instead, Newsome made it his own personal showcase. In addition to that pick-six, he also had a touchdown run, a touchdown catch, and a punt return for a touchdown. The game ended in a 44-0 blistering of Phoebus. Utter domination.

That was arguably the game that helped Newsome get noticed by top programs in college football. A year later he was attending North Carolina and beginning his climb to the NFL. Everybody knows the rest. Chicago grabbed him in the 6th round and hopes he becomes an integral part of their offense. The irony here is his former high school coach Mike Smith thinks he would’ve been just a great as a defensive back in college. He had a story to back it up according to Sean Hammond of Shaw Media.

Smith remembers one game against rival Bethel, which is a 10-to-15 minute drive from Hampton and in the same school district. Bethel’s top receiver was Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, a linebacker who the Cleveland Browns selected in the second round of the draft last month.

“He was a better receiver than he was a linebacker at that time,” Smith said. “The night we played them, I played Dazz man-to-man on him and zoned everything else. He actually had one catch but he should’ve been called for offensive pass interference. Dazz closed him down.”

Dazz Newsome is already fitting in well

He was the one who stood out the most at rookie minicamps, already exhibiting a connection with fellow rookie, quarterback Justin Fields. That probably isn’t an accident. The two connected during the draft and Newsome was giving some advice by his wide receiver coach from North Carolina. Find Fields and stay in his pocket. Do everything he does. Probably a good idea considering Fields is the future of this franchise.

Dazz Newsome gives himself a huge opportunity to see action on Sundays with Fields’ help. The 22-year old isn’t under any illusions though. He understands that simply being drafted doesn’t guarantee him an opportunity. He’s a 6th rounder. Those types come and go all the time. It is up to him to turn that into something more. That means working hard and making plays in practice. Force the coaches to realize they can’t keep him off the field.

The young man never fears a challenge.

His versatility is also sure to help him. Being a receiver by himself may not be enough to draw attention. However, also being a capable punt returner will help his cause too. Special teams is often the route later draft picks must embrace before they see action at their normal positions. If it was good enough for Terrell Davis, it’s good enough for Newsome.