Is Efton Chism the next Cooper Kupp?
Scouts don’t have much of an offseason and are already looking at prospects for the 2025 class. A name that you should get to know is Efton Chism III. Chism is a star WR out of Eastern Washington, yes, that being the school that Cooper Kupp put on the map with his stellar collegiate career almost a decade ago. Kupp had such a record-breaking collegiate career that I don’t think anyone can touch it. Kupp’s resume (428 receptions, 6464 yards, and 73 TDs) is a feat we may never see again. Chism has a solid resume, yet not quite the caliber of Kupp’s which we may never see again at the D1 level.
So, I’m not insinuating that Chism is Kupp, yet that he is the best receiver that Eastern Washington has seen in the past 8 years who could play his way into being an NFL Draft pick. Chism had a solid receiving grade by PFF last year (83.3) which he should be able to duplicate in 2024. He’s a crafty route runner who’s often utilized as a slot receiver. Last season, he was named team captain and displayed consistent hands which culminated in being named First Team All-Big Sky. In 2023, coaches decided to take away Chism’s duties as a returner, saving their star for the Eagle’s offense where he was the go-to receiver. When we look at Chism’s resume as a pro prospect, those days as a return specialist will come back into play, giving him more ways to contribute.
All in all, Efton Chism III has made 30 starts for the Eagles going into the 2024 season, ranking 12th in the school’s history for career receiving yards (2541), 3rd all-time in receptions (226), and 2nd in average receptions per game (5.5). This Monroe, Washington native is going to be a focal point of the Eagle’s offense in 2024 and should make his way up draft boards by the end of the season.
Assistant Director of Scouting for the Hula Bowl and long-time writer for NFL Draft Diamonds.