Efton Chism III, a wide receiver hailing from Monroe, WA, spent his entire five-year college career right here in the Evergreen State at Eastern Washington. While playing for the Eagles from 2020 to 2024, Chism pulled off something truly wild: he broke a long-standing FCS record, one that belonged to none other than our own Seahawks wideout, Cooper Kupp! Chism managed to snag a catch in an astounding 53 straight games, every single one of his college appearances, leaving Kupp’s impressive mark in the dust. This local kid isn’t just a story; he’s a record-breaker from our own backyard.
The Pride of Eastern Washington is No Secret Here
This kid wasn’t just good; he was consistently dominant in Cheney, making the rest of the Big Sky look silly. Chism played in all 53 games, started 42, and racked up an insane 346 receptions for 3,852 yards and 37 touchdowns. Yeah, you read that right: 37 scores! He wasn’t just stuffing the stat sheet either. Chism earned All-Big Sky honors in all four of his final seasons, snagging First Team recognition in 2023 and 2024. Plus, he was voted to two FCS All-American squads, making First Team in 2024 and Third Team in 2023. He took over the main offensive role as a sophomore and just never looked back, proving he was a bonafide playmaker. Our state knows talent when it sees it, and Chism definitely followed the footsteps of other EWU legends like Kupp and Kendrick Bourne.
From Undrafted Snub to NFL Role Player: Chism’s Fight
Despite that kind of production and record-breaking pedigree, NFL scouts weren’t exactly lining up for Chism in the 2025 draft. He didn’t hear his name called, signing with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent. Talk about a chip on your shoulder, right? But the kid kept fighting, making the 53-man roster out of camp and sticking there as a role player throughout the 2025 season. He saw action in 10 games, hauling in four catches for 95 yards and even punched in a touchdown. For an undrafted rookie just trying to find his footing, that’s a solid start and shows his grit. At 5’10 1/2″ and 198 lbs, with a 4.71s 40-yard dash and a 5.19 Relative Athletic Score, his measurements highlight his compact build.
Scouts are already calling him a prototypical slot receiver, and for good reason. He’s got the good quickness and the ability to run crisp routes. Add in his knack for adjusting his tempo based on his route and the opponent, and you’ve got a player capable of getting open effectively, especially in the crucial short and intermediate parts of the field. His route tree is well-branched, and he’s comfortable lining up in various positions. So, what’s 2026 going to bring for our local product? Will he continue to carve out a significant role, or will we finally see that major uptick in opportunities he’s clearly earned? The league needs to see what Monroe, EWU, and Cooper Kupp’s record book already know. This kid’s got game, and it’s time he showed everyone.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pats Pulpit.
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