Caleb Odom evolved into a five-star athlete at Carrollton (Ga.) High School, but now he’s about to unleash his incredible playmaking ability at the University of Alabama.
The 6-foot-5 specimen impressed during the Crimson Tide’s bowl practices for Michigan in 2023; but, he is making waves in spring camp as a wide receiver. Odom came into the 2024 signing class as a great tight end, but his position move allows him to be more explosive in Kalen DeBoer’s offence. The 215-pounder wears No. 18 and has coaches and teammates impressed with his physicality, route running, quickness, and ability to catch passes. On Friday, Louisiana junior wide receiver Kendrick Law revealed to Alabama media that Odom is ‘no longer a tight end.’ He is quite impressed with Odom.
“Caleb Odom is a wide receiver,” Law explained.
“Caleb is outstanding. He is the tallest receiver we have and the most aggressive player. When I look at him, I recognize George Pickens. He is quite active at the line; he has great hands and gets up to attack the ball.”
Pickens, a Hoover, Ala. native, spent three seasons at the University of Georgia from 2019 to 2021. The 6-foot-3, 200-pounder helped the Bulldogs win the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.The Pittsburgh Steelers selected him in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Pickens had a career year last season with 63 receptions for 1,140 yards and five touchdowns. He prides himself on physicality and making contest catches. Law says Odom brings the same skill set to the Tide.
Nick Sheridan, Alabama’s co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, loves Odom’s potential at receiver.
“We are trying to put him [Caleb Odom] in a position to be successful,” Sheridan said Friday.
“He is a big kid, very athletic, very explosive, and he has a great frame. I think time will tell what he turns into being and how his body grows when he’s 20, 21, 22 years old, but he runs plenty good enough to play wide receiver. He runs very well, he is a big target, so we are trying to position him early on to not run into 275-pound people. We want to have him in a position where he can have success, and I think there is so much versatility in our offense… we are trying to utilize his strengths to be successful. He comes from a great program and is accustomed to playing football at a high level. The moment has not been too big with him.”
Sheridan said Odom has ‘fit right in’ as a receiver.
He caught 64 passes for 1,121 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns in his junior season at Carrollton while excelling on the basketball court.
Alabama fans will have their attention on Odom in the upcoming A-Day Game.
Leave a Reply