LAWRENCE — Austin Booker could have returned to Kansas football for another season.

Booker, a defensive lineman for the Jayhawks in 2023, was only a redshirt sophomore. The opportunity was there to come back to college and take more time to develop. Had he, the transfer from Minnesota would have entered Kansas’ 2024 season as one of the more intriguing talents in the Big 12 Conference.

But as Booker evaluated his options on whether to turn pro or not, he felt mentally and physically ready to compete at a higher level. He thought it was good to “strike while the iron’s hot,” after a breakout season in which he led the Jayhawks in sacks and tackles for loss, because there’s no telling what could happen if he didn’t. It led to the Chicago Bears picking him in the fifth round of the NFL draft this year, and a chance to learn from the likes of Chicago defensive lineman Montez Sweat.

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“It’s a great opportunity,” Booker said about being on a team with Sweat after being drafted in late April. “I mean, we already hopped on DM on Instagram, already said we’re about to get to work. So, I’m just excited to get there in Chicago, learn from him and just keep getting better.”

In a press conference that aired on chicagobears.com, Chicago general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus both highlighted the upside Booker possesses. Poles also mentioned Booker’s length and tenacity. Eberflus mentioned similar characteristics, and praised Poles’ decision for making the trade that allowed them to take Booker.

Booker didn’t shy away from being described as a raw talent, especially given his age at 21 years old. He understands there are a lot of years ahead of him when can improve and become stronger and faster. With this organization, he has confidence he’s in good hands.

Maybe Booker’s NFL combine experience didn’t go the way he would have wanted, but he still believes in his on-field speed and athleticism. And there was his experience at the Senior Bowl, that certainly turned heads. Booker will now look to earn a role on a team that has high hopes for his future.

“We definitely had our eyes on him down there for sure, and he’s got a slippery way about him,” Eberflus said. “Some rushers just have the ability to work around the tackle on the outside, and there was a couple of other guys that were like that in the draft this year, but he’s definitely one of those guys and he’s just got a natural ability to really rush the passer and understand when he gets to the top of the rush if he’s stuck he can work back inside. You just saw a lot of that on tape as well.”

Jordan Guskey covers University of Kansas Athletics at The Topeka Capital-Journal. He is the National Sports Media Association’s sportswriter of the year for the state of Kansas for 2022. Contact him at jmguskey@gannett.com or on Twitter at @JordanGuskey.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Chicago Bears intrigued by Kansas football standout Austin Booker