Chicago Tribune Article Re: Kevin Toliver Early Success with Bears

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The most prominent rookie UDFA is cornerback Kevin Toliver, who could be pressed into a second start against the Dolphins if the Bears give Prince Amukamara another week to rest his injured left hamstring. Toliver was steady in his first start against the Buccaneers and didn’t seem overwhelmed even when challenged by a high-caliber receiver in Mike Evans.

It’s premature to say if Toliver will pan out for the Bears, but the investment of $25,000 ($15,000 signing bonus, $10,000 base salary guarantee) was minimal. To put it in perspective, the Bears’ seventh-round pick, wide receiver Javon Wims, got a $95,912 signing bonus.

“I’ve got to make the most of every opportunity I get because of how I came into this organization,” Toliver said.
It’s not that Toliver lacked the talent to be drafted. He started eight games as a true freshman in 2015 at LSU, which has been a factory for high-level NFL defensive backs. At one point he was the No. 1 high school recruit in the nation — overall, not just among defensive backs — at Trinity Christian in Jacksonville, Fla.

But a suspension as a sophomore was just part of the baggage Toliver carried when he left LSU with a year of eligibility remaining. As one national scout for another team said, “He just wasn’t real accountable for a lot of things.”

Asked if he had earned that reputation among NFL scouts, Toliver said, “Yeah, I did.”

Still, he was talented enough for an investment, and the Bears were able to sign Toliver just after the draft with the Seahawks, Ravens and Steelers also pursuing him.

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Toliver beamed when talking about his current opportunity after watching former LSU teammates Jamal Adams (Jets safety) and Tre’Davious White (Bills cornerback) — both first-round picks in 2017 — thrive as pros. They talk weekly in a group text chat.

Toliver figured he would be a mid-round pick, at worst, when he entered the draft, so he was stunned as the rounds finished and his phone didn’t ring.
“That was the plan,” he said. “That was the goal. That is what everyone was telling me going into the draft. Ain’t get no phone calls, so I had to change my whole mind-set.

“The Bears were rebuilding and the team was still young, new head coach, coach (Matt) Nagy was young with a lot of energy. I felt like it was a good fit for me. We’re young in the secondary. I felt it was the right choice for me.”

Toliver created a positive impression immediately at rookie minicamp by making plays on the ball, and that happened again at the start of training camp before a mild hamstring injury slowed him. He goes about his business like the spotlight is always on him.
“Bryce said you can’t take no days off because they are always watching you as undrafted players,” Toliver said. “They’re just looking for reasons to let you go.”

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