CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Illinois center Doug Kramer was selected in the sixth round (No. 207 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears on Saturday in Las Vegas. Kramer grew up less than 20 miles from Chicago's Soldier Field in the suburb of Hinsdale, Illinois.

Kramer was a five-year starter at center for Illinois, earning All-Big Ten honors in each of his last three seasons. He was an All-Big Ten second team selection by the conferences coaches in 2021 after being an All-Big Ten honorable mention honoree in 2020 and 2019.

Kramer was a three-time captain for Illinois and excelled in the classroom. He was a 2021 NFF Hampshire Honor Society inductee, 2021 Campbell Trophy semifinalist, and Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's degree in recreation, sport, and tourism.

Kramer is the first Illini drafted by the Chicago Bears since WR David Williams was selected in the third round in 1986. He is the 20th all-time Illini drafted by Chicago, joining Illini legends like Dick Butkus (1965), J.C. Caroline (1956), and Williams.

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