The Chicago Bears today announced the signing of four selections from the 2026 NFL Draft – wide receiver Zavion Thomas, defensive back Malik Muhammad, linebacker Keyshaun Elliott and defensive lineman Jordan van den Berg.
Thomas was selected by Chicago in the third round (No. 89 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. After starting his career at Mississippi State (2022-23), Thomas spent the last two seasons at LSU (2024-25), registering the second-most receptions (41), receiving yards (488) and receiving touchdowns (four) on the team in 2025, leading the Tigers with 17 punt returns for 152 yards. Thomas appeared in all 26 games over his last two seasons at LSU, starting 10 at wide receiver, adding 22 career appearances at Mississippi State for 48 career collegiate games played. Over two seasons at LSU, Thomas caught 64 passes for 706 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 99 rushing yards and a score on the ground. Over his collegiate tenure, Thomas amassed 106 career receptions for 1,213 yards and seven touchdowns receiving. In the return phase, Thomas added three special teams touchdowns (two kickoff return, one punt return) and led the Southeastern Conference in kickoff return yards (633), ranking second in average yards per kickoff return (26.4) in 2024, his first season at LSU. Thomas earned Freshman All-America honors after returning 15 punts for 202 yards and one touchdown in 2022.
Muhammad was selected by the Bears in the fourth round (No. 124 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. A Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference selection in 2025, Muhammad appeared in 41 career games over three seasons of action at Texas (2023-25), starting 29 in the secondary for the Longhorns, including all 27 outings over the last two seasons. Over his three seasons at Texas, Muhammad registered 97 career tackles (76 solo), along with 19 career passes defensed, including three interceptions. Appearing in 16 games in 2024, Muhammad secured a career-high eight passes defensed, before a single-season career-best two interceptions and 2.5 tackles for loss in 2025.
Elliott was selected by Chicago in the fifth round (No. 166 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. Elliott was named Second-Team All-Big 12 Conference following each of his two seasons of action at Arizona State (2024 and 2025) after spending two years at New Mexico State (2022-23), earning Second-Team All-Conference USA acknowledgment in 2023. Over his last two seasons at Arizona State (2024-25), Elliott appeared in 25 games, starting 20 at linebacker, including all 12 outings in 2025 for the Sun Devils. Last season, Elliott led Arizona State with 98 tackles (54 solo), including 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks, becoming one of just two FBS players in 2025 to secure at least 90 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks. Elliott appeared in 27 career games at New Mexico State (2022-23), amassing a team-best 111 tackles in 2023. Over his career, Elliott saw action in 52 career collegiate games, registering 301 total tackles (154 solo).
Van den Berg was selected by the Bears in the sixth round (No. 213 overall) of the 2026 NFL Draft. After three seasons of action at Penn State (2021-23), van den Berg spent the last two seasons at Georgia Tech (2023-25), appearing in 54 career collegiate games. A First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 2025, van den Berg started all 13 games for Georgia Tech and led the Yellow Jackets with a career-best 11 tackles for loss last season. Over his five seasons of action, van den Berg amassed 93 career tackles (50 solo), including 20 career tackles for loss with 6.5 sacks, adding two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. van den Berg, who started his collegiate career at Iowa Western Community College (2020-21), earning NJCAA First-Team All-America honors in 2020, transferred to Penn State in 2021, where he appeared in 28 games for the Nittany Lions over the next three seasons (2021-23). Additionally, van den Berg was named First-Team Academic All-America in 2025, the first for Georgia Tech in 23 years.
Additionally, the Chicago Bears have signed 13 undrafted free agents:
Caden Barnett, offensive lineman, Wyoming (6-4, 316)
Appeared in 47 games over four seasons for Cowboys … three-year starter who opened 22 games at right tackle in 2023-24 before starting 12 contests at right guard in 2025, when he was named second-team All-Mountain West … Nickname is "Vanilla Gorilla" … Played in Hula Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl.
Coleman Bennett, running back, Kennesaw State (5-11, 185)
Played in 14 games last year at Kennesaw State, rushing for 764 yards and four touchdowns on 157 carries and catching 27 passes for 314 yards and 3 TDs … In 2024, had only two touches at Rice … Appeared in 32 games over four seasons from 2020-23 at Bucknell, running for 1,071 yards and seven TDs on 297 carries and catching 78 passes for 671 yards … After compiling 1,377 all-purpose yards in 2023, was named second-team All-Patriot League as a running back and first team as a kickoff returner, averaging 21.6 yards on 25 returns … In 2021, won Bucknell's Theodore S. Ratkus Football Leadership Award for character, courage and commitment to team play … Father, Donnell Jr., was an NFL fullback with Chiefs (1994-2000) and Washington (2001).
KC Eziomume, defensive back, Tulane (6-1, 198)
Appeared in seven games last season for Green Wave … Played in 11 contests at Albany in 2024, recording 25 tackles and six pass breakups … Began college career at Alabama A&M, registering 23 tackles and nine pass breakups in two seasons.
Beau Gardner, long snapper, Georgia (6-5, 249)
Won 2025 Patrick Mannelly Award (named after former Bears long snapper) as top long snapper in college football and was tabbed first-team All-American … Was selected first-team All-SEC in each of his two seasons at Georgia … Previously served as UCLA's long snapper in 2023 ... Grew up in San Francisco.
Omari Kelly, receiver, Michigan State (6-0, 188)
Hails from Alabama … Appeared in 42 games with 19 starts at Auburn (2022-23), Middle Tennessee State (2024) and Michigan State (2025), compiling 105 receptions for 1,596 yards and six TDs … Had 47 catches for 626 yards and 2 TDs last year for Spartans … At Middle Tennessee State in 2024 was named first-team All-Conference USA as receiver and second team as punt returner … Returned punt 61 yards for TD against Kennesaw State, earning conference special teams player of week honors.
Jaren Kump, offensive lineman, Utah (6-5, 306)
Played in 59 games past six seasons for Utes … Made 40 starts at all five line positions: 29 at center, 7 at right tackle, 3 at left tackle, 1 at right guard and 1 at left guard … Was Utah's starting center each of last two seasons … Earned Big 12 All-Conference honorable mention recognition last year … Served an LDS church mission in Brazil … Won state championship as sophomore at Herriman High School in Utah … Was named first-team all-state as senior.
Hayden Large, tight end, Iowa (6-4, 250)
Teamed with Bears second-round pick, center Logan Jones, with Hawkeyes … Appeared in 38 games last three seasons, catching 14 passes for 89 yards … Established career highs with eight receptions and 52 yards last year … Before transferring to Iowa played three seasons at Dordt University in Iowa, compiling 62 receptions for 950 yards and 12 TDs.
Jayden Loving, defensive lineman, Wake Forest (6-2, 317)
Played in 38 games over three seasons at Western Kentucky (2023-24) and Wake Forest (2025), amassing 89 tackles, 12.0 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, three pass breakups and three fumble recoveries … Set career highs last year at Wake Forest with 44 tackles, 8.5 tackles-for-loss and 2.5 sacks, earning All-ACC honorable mention recognition … Was named Class 4A second-team all-state as senior at Hamilton High School in Alabama.
Miller Moss, quarterback, Louisville (6-1, 211)
Grew up in Southern California … served as Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' backup at USC in 2022-23 … In first college start in 2023 Holiday Bowl was named offensive MVP after throwing for 372 yards and six TD passes in 42-28 win over Louisville … Made nine starts in 2024, passing for 2,555 yards and 18 TDs … In lone season at Louisville in 2025 completed 64.2% of passes for career-high 2,679 yards with 16 TDs and seven interceptions.
Mason Murphy, offensive lineman, Auburn (6-6, 315)
Appeared in 51 games past four seasons at USC (2022-24) and Auburn (2025) … Played 39 games with 22 starts at USC, including 12 starts all at right tackle in 2024 … Last year at Auburn opened all 12 games, first nine at right tackle before moving to center for final three …Was named first-team all-state as senior two-way tackle at JSerra Catholic High School in California.
Gabriel Plascencia, kicker, San Diego State (6-0, 245)
Left-footed kicker made 87.8% of field-goal attempts (36 of 41) last three years at San Diego State, including 82.6% (19 of 23) in 2025 … Previously attended College of San Mateo (2021-22) … Played three years of varsity soccer at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, scoring 37 goals in 45 games.
Skyler Thomas, defensive back, Oregon State (6-2, 191)
Appeared in 49 games over five years at Oregon State, compiling 191 tackles, three interceptions, 14 pass breakups, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble … After missing 2023 season with injury, led Beavers in tackles with 81 in 2024 and 78 in 2025 … Won state championship as sophomore at Menlo-Atherton High School in California.
Squirrel White, receiver, Florida State (5-9, 177)
Played in 48 games past four seasons at Tennessee (2022-24) and Florida State (2025), catching 136 passes for 1,717 yards and six TDs … Most productive year came in 2023 with 67 receptions for 803 yards and two TDs … Great-grandmother nicknamed him "Squirrel" as an infant because he imitated the movement of a squirrel in her garden … Won Alabama 6A state championship as senior at Clay-Chalkville on team that went 15-0.
