The Buckeyes added another top defensive lineman recruit to their 2025 recruiting class on Thursday. In a formal commitment announcement, 247Sports Composite four-star defensive tackle Trajen Odom picked Ohio State. He chose the Buckeyes over the likes of Oregon, USC, UCLA, Colorado, and Georgia. Odom is considered by 247Sports‘ Composite as the 31st-best defensive lineman and seventh-best overall recruit from North Carolina.
Odom joins the Buckeyes class as the 21st commit and fourth on the defensive line, joining Zion Grady, Zahir Mathis, and London Merritt..
BREAKING: Four-Star DL Trajen Odom has Committed to Ohio State, he tells me for @on3recruits
The 6’5 285 DL from Matthews, NC chose the Buckeyes over USC, Oregon, & Georgia
“Romans 12:12
rockstar modeee!! O-H”https://t.co/mShc9EbRvM pic.twitter.com/OgkFcy6V5w
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 28, 2024
Four-Star Defensive Lineman Trajen Odom Commits to Ohio State
Internal defensive line recruiting has been a hot topic in this year’s class as it’s considered a bit weaker than previous classes. Despite that, Odom has seen a meteoric rise this offseason.
At Weddington High School in Matthews, North Carolina, Odom has been impressively productive. As a sophomore, Odom accounted for 41 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Then, last year, he improved with 54 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and four sacks. Additionally, he forced a fumble.
Odom is considered a high-upside kind of defensive tackle recruit. He is an above-average athlete and actually has some positional versatility. His highlight reel is full of plays where Odom was able to just physically overpower the interior offensive linemen. He often stands them up and can push the linemen into the lap of the quarterback then disengage to make the play. The most impressive play on the sophomore year highlights had Odom beat a double-team, roll out with the quarterback, plow through the running back, and finish the sack.
247Sports‘ scouting has Odom as a player a coach is willing to bring in and be patient with. If the Buckeyes develop him, Odom projects to be a solid contributor in the Big Ten.
According to Bill Kurelic at 247Sports’ BuckNuts, “Odom has been high on the Buckeyes’ list of remaining targets for some time. And the feeling has been mutual. Odom has had a strong interest in Ohio State and has been talking to Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson continually for quite a while.”
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