By Bobby Narang
Doug Kramer is ready to move back home.
A five-year starting center on the offensive line for the University of Illinois, Kramer was selected by the Chicago Bears with the 207th pick in the 2022 National Football League draft, Saturday, April 30. Kramer, a Hinsdale Central High School graduate, was picked on day three of the draft in the sixth round.
The 6-2, 299-pound center was a three-star (out of five stars) recruit coming out of high school. He signed with former Illini head coach Lovie Smith. Kramer is the first Illini drafted by the Bears since wide receiver David Williams in 1986, and the 20th all-time Illinois player picked by the Bears.
Kramer said it was a dream come true to be selected by the Bears. He started 48 games at center for the Illini, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of former Bears’ standout Olin Kreutz.
“Unbelievable. Dream come true for sure,” Kramer said. “I don’t think I’ve fully wrapped my head around the fact that the Bears just took me. It’s crazy to think just growing up a die-hard Bears fan, this means the world to me and my family. …Fired up to be a part of it. Growing up at that position in Chicago, [Kreutz] was the guy you were going to look at because you knew he was the toughest guy on the field and he was going to get after people. I think every young kid in Chicago was trying to emulate what he did on the field. I definitely tried to carry that toughness with me my entire career knowing that I would be smaller than some of the guys that I’m going up against.”
Kramer, a three-time All-Big Ten Conference selection and a three-time Illini captain, said he got a sense of the enormity of playing for the Bears when he made a trek to Halas Hall for a pre-draft visit. Kramer said he’s ready for the challenge of attempting to earn a roster spot in the NFL. He did not have a Power Five offer out of high school, and was a grayshirt recruit until earning an invitation from then newly-hired Smith to join the program immediately.
“Obviously walking into Halas Hall is awesome. It’s an awesome experience for anyone, but I think it just adds another level when I grew up a fan,” Kramer said. “I know the significance of the building and what it means to people around the city. That was an incredible experience and a great chance to show that staff who I am and what I’m all about.”