2024 TE Caleb Odom (6-5 210) of Carrollton, GA is viewed as a highly athletic tight with the speed and hands of a wide receiver. He has caught 35 passes this season for 539 yards and eight touchdowns. Earlier this week he landed an offer from USC tight ends coach Jody Wright and he plans to visit the Gamecocks November 19th for the Tennessee game.
“I went up to a game last year (Clemson) and I loved the environment,” Odom said. “I kind of knew their staff. Coach Wright called me and told me he really loved my film and he wanted me to get down for a game. He said he and Coach (Shane) Beamer really love my film, so they offered me. I really like the school. It was a great environment when I went down there last year. The fans were crazy. I’ve seen what they’ve been doing this season. I was really excited when they offered.”
Tight ends who can get down the field and make big plays are in high demand in today’s pass-happy offenses. The Gamecocks made great use of Hayden Hurst during his time, and Austin Stogner is coming into his own this season. Odom said Wright loves his athleticism and what he could do for the passing attack.
“He was saying my ability to just go get the ball,” Odom said. “I have great running skills for a guy that has my size, and great route running. And if I put on weight, I’ll be a real threat in the offense. He was telling me about they use the tight ends in the offense, they use them in the passing game a lot. Over 50% of their throws are to the tight end. He was just telling me stuff like that.”
Clemson tight ends coach Kyle Richardson has not yet offered Odom, but he had him in for the NC State game October 1st, and the communication has continued.
“They really love me,” Odom said. “Coach Richardson said they are really slow with their offer process. They are also heavily recruiting me, too. An offer would mean a lot knowing the history they have, all the great players who have come out of there. Coach Swinney, whenever I was up there, they talked about how it was more than football. It was like getting ready for the future, like twenty years, when football is over with. It was really great to hear all that.”
This season Odom has also been to games at Tennessee, Georgia, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss and Louisville. He is also set to go to LSU November 5th for the Alabama game.
Odom also has offers from Ole Miss, North Carolina, Auburn, Missouri, Wake Forest, East Carolina, Maryland, Illinois, USF, Kentucky, Pitt and Louisville.
