Ryan Williams has been the superstar true freshman in Alabama’s offense through eight games.
He has 35 receptions for 702 yards and seven touchdowns, but Crimson Tide fans have been waiting on another former five-star to emerge and become impactful. Alabama supporters were highly excited when Caleb Odom chose the Tide in the 2024 signing class from Carrolton, Ga.
The 6-foot-5, 227-pounder made an impact during bowl prep for Alabama’s matchup against Michigan at the Rose Bowl for the College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup. He enrolled early for spring practice and made such an impression that JaMarcus Shephard, Alabama’s wide receivers coach, transitioned him from tight end to receiver.
Odom has five catches for 45 yards, but he has not gotten the opportunities he thought he would have.
Many would be frustrated by this, but Odom possesses a maturity about himself to keep working.
An injury to Cole Adams, a redshirt freshman, positions Odom with a chance to show his skills.
Coach Shephard singled out Odom in Wednesday’s media availability for the Tide’s assistant coaches. He is ‘super proud’ of how the freshman has grown.
“I just want to be very clear. … His growth as a player has been exponential throughout the season,” Shephard said about Odom.
“That is the reason why he has played as much as he has. When you are a bigger guy like he is, you are really working on getting in and out of your breaks more efficiently and move in a way that is more of a wide receiver. He is a really reliable kid, he’s tough, and willing to do whatever we ask him to do. I want to give a lot of praise to him. I respect that young man for who he is and how he comes in an approaches every day. I respect him for what he has brought to this football team.”
AJ McCarron details what Alabama ‘got to do’ to win against LSU
Kyren Lacy of LSU has garnered much conversation, but Odom can be a mismatch for LSU’s secondary.
Alabama faced a Tiger team (Clemson) in the 2016 College Football Playoff National Championship Game. It had a matchup advantage with one player — O.J. Howard — all season that it did not use until that game. Howard, who was 6’6″ and 240+ pounds, dominated Clemson’s secondary with five catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns. He paced the Tide to a 45-40 victory over the Tigers for a national title.
Odom has this same ability, but he needs to have an opportunity to show it.
We will see if it happens against LSU.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
