Analysis of new Alabama commitment + TE class breakdown
Caleb Odom, the No. 2 tight end in the country per On3 Sports, revealed his college decision on Saturday evening. Odom announced his commitment to the University of Alabama.
On3 Sports Scouting and Rankings Director Charles Power shares his take on Odom after spring and summer evaluations. BOL also takes a look at the remaining tight end targets, and if the Crimson Tide will add another at the position before the end of the cycle.
Odom is commitment No. 14 for the Crimson Tide. He is also the first tight end. He is the only player from the Peach State to join the class thus far. Alabama does, however, have three underclassmen commitments from Georgia including Odom’s teammate, ’26 interior offensive lineman Zykie Helton. Alabama also also commitments from ’25 offensive linemen, Mason Short and Dontrell Glover.
Don’t Miss: Odom talks Alabama commitment
On3 Sports: Odom a mismatch for defenses
“Caleb Odom is a prospect we’ve been high on at On3 since the initial 2024 rankings. He’s been a four-star, Top 100 player for the entirety of the cycle. The first thing that caught our eye was the combination of size, stature, athleticism and coordination. He was a big wide receiver, and played a little safety as a sophomore at Villa Rica (Ga.). We knew he was a really good athlete, and would figure out his long term position as he filled out. There was a lot of upside with him as a sophomore.
“He wasn’t viewed as a national recruit early, but we liked him a lot. The offers started to come in. He kind of blew up as a junior after transferring to Carrollton (Ga.). He teamed up with 2026 quarterback JuJu Lewis and had a really good season last fall. His team lost to Caleb Downs and Mill Creek in the state title game. He had a great junior season playing outside receiver with over 1, 100 yards receiving and 13 touchdowns.
“He was very productive as the top target on his team. You see the fluidity in his movement skills. He’s playing outside receiver at 6-foot-4, 220-pounds, and moves like a much smaller player. He can run routes, get in-and-out of his breaks and has potential to be a ball winner in contested catch situations. You dig into his basketball background and this is a guy who has played high level AAU basketball. I think he’s god enough to play college basketball if he wanted to, but we know his future is in football. That’s just how good he is on the court.
“He has the best dunk reel of any 2024 prospect we’ve seen. I went through Carrollton’s basketball game. You notice him detonating on the rim three to four times a game I put together a highlight video of his basketball highlights just to show what he could do. When looking at tight end and receiver prospects as well the guys who are above the rim basketball players are usually positive sign. You think back to Henry Ruggs who had one of the best dunk highlight reels I’ve ever seen. You see the skills transfer over to football with the athleticism. I think Odom has a ton of potential. He’s a potential mis-match and can move around in different formations.”
“I wouldn’t get caught up too much on him being a guy who’s hand is in the dirt right now. He’s a guy who can move around. He can be a weapon- maybe even early in his career. He is heavier than you think. You think he’s 205- and he’s 220. I think he has room to continue adding weight. He has good length for position. His arms are over 33-inches. He would be one of longer receivers in this cycle as well. I think there are so many positive indicators with him. He is primed to have a huge senior season. He made big strides from his sophomore to junior year.
It’s a fun race for who is the top tight end between Odom and Jaden Reddell, the Georgia commitment. Odom slide into No. 2 spot after seeing more of this group (overall tight end group) in-person. It’s pretty evident he’s in the top two going into his senior year. We are really bullish on his ability. He’s one of my favorite prospects to watch in this class. The more you learn about him he has a lot of positive attributes and indicators that point to a high ceiling. He has a high ceiling and high floor. This is a really nice, huge pick up for Alabama. I think he bring a lot of versatility and mis-match ability to the offense.
You look at direction Nick Saban is going with Alabama’s offense with Tommy Rees and having a versatile tight end like Odom. You see what Rees did with tight ends at Notre Dame and the direction these blue blood programs are going in with the tight end position. It’s a moveable chess piece on offense that Alabama can certainly use. Odom is an impact player who can create a lot of problems for opposing defenses.”– Charles Power
Alabama aiming for another TE
Jay Lindsey with Nick Saban on June 14.
Alabama isn’t quite finished at tight in the ’24 class. The staff will continue to push for a second tight end though the options are extremely limited- and the targets wanted are currently committed elsewhere. The addition of Odom gives the Tide a player who can stretch the field at the position. A bigger bodied player who can be a physical run blocker and pass catcher is also needed.
Jay Lindsey, three-star from Patrician Academy in Butler (Ala.) earned an offer from Alabama after attending camp last month. Lindsey, who is currently committed to Mississippi State, grew up a big fan of the Crimson Tide. Alabama is expected to continue its pursuit of the 6-foot-4, 235-pound in-state recruit. Lindsey has a clocked a 4.66 in the 40-yard dash last month.
Oklahoma added a big commitment earlier this month from Davon Mitchell, four-star from Los Alamitos High School (Calif.). Mitchell also announced reclassification plans from ’25 to the ’24 class. The Alabama native who is originally from York (one hour from Tuscaloosa) will continue receiving heavy attention. Alabama will push for an official visit from Mitchell this fall.
Alabama expects to have its tight ends heavily involved with Coach Rees bringing an added flavor to the Tide’s offensive scheme. The production may open the door for other tight end targets to consider Alabama or perhaps give others a reason to consider a flip before or during the early signing period in December.
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