Gamecocks In The Heart Of A Battle For Another Elite Tight End In Caleb Odom
SPORTSTALK / February 14, 2023
There’s no question USC coach Shane Beamer has a special place in his heart for tight ends. He coached the position as an assistant at Oklahoma, and he’s making the position a focal point of his offense at USC. One he and tight ends coach Jody Wright would love to add in the 2024 class is Caleb Odom (6-5 210) of Carrollton, GA.USC is one of 40 offers for Odom, who carries the tight end label but displays the skills of a wide receiver. He did not make it in for a junior day in January, but he was in for a game in October. Beamer and Wright have stayed on him since offering last year.
“It’s been great. Just been building the relationship obviously,” Odom said. “I can’t wait to get back up there. I’m definitely going to try to make it back in the spring. It’s been great with them; the relationship has been going good. Last time I was there was probably last year. I haven’t been there for a while, so I’m looking forward to getting back up there.”
Beamer and Wright concur, they’d like to have Odom back on campus as soon as possible because according to Odom, they feel he would flourish in their offense.
“They are just telling me I’m wanted there,” Odom said. “How much of a fit that I would be in their offense. They are telling me to stay in contact and they want me to get up there for a visit. Obviously with numerous recruits committing there within the past months, it seems like they are recruiting hard. It’s making a big impression on be because that just shows how much other recruits really love South Carolina and believe that place is the home for them.”
In January, Odom attended junior day gatherings at Georgia Tech and Florida. He went to Clemson for a game in October but said he’s not hearing much from the Tigers. He also went to games at Tennessee, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, Louisville and LSU.
His impressive offer list also includes Notre Dame, Miami, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Colorado, NC State, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Auburn, Kentucky, Pitt and Missouri.
Odom hasn’t announced a short list but said he talks the most with USC, Oklahoma, Penn State, Michigan, Florida, Auburn, Miami and Tennessee. Those standout the most to him right now.
“Well, obviously the group I talk to the most, because relationships are most important for me,” Odom said. “When they are putting in the effort to recruit me and stuff, that will definitely catch my eye. No major favorites sticking out right now. I still want to get out to a lot of places, take a few officials, before I make my decision.”
Odom plans to drop a shot list in late April and he’d like to make his decision in late July.
Last season Odom caught 64 passes for 1121 yards and 13 touchdowns. He averaged over 17 yards per catch.