Elite TE Caleb Odom commits to Alabama: 'Alabama is the real deal'

Elite tight end Caleb Odom wants to play “for the best and with the best.” That sentiment brought him to Tuscaloosa, and led Odom to commit to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Odom, the No. 28 overall prospect in the 2024 On300, took his official visit to Alabama after unofficially visiting Tuscaloosa earlier in the spring.

“Right after my official visit to Alabama is when I knew Alabama was the school,” Odom told On3. “The Sunday the visit ended, I looked at my mom and told her. Alabama is the real deal, I let my mom know my feelings and I still took the remainder of my official visits because I didn’t want to rush anything, but my feelings never changed.”

Alabama stood out above the rest to Odom

Odom visited multiple schools, including taking officials to Auburn, Florida and Miami. But Alabama — and its history — was able to separate itself from the pack.

“Every school was great, and I could see myself at any of the five schools on my list, but the separating factor was the way Alabama carries itself,” Odom said. “Alabama is one of the top schools over the last decade or so and the people there are amazing. The coaches, the nutritionists, and everyone there wants the best for the team, for the players and for the program and that is what separated Alabama from everyone else.”

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Odom touched on the arrival of new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Rees comes to Tuscaloosa from Notre Dame, where he developed star tight end and second-round draft pick Michael Mayer.

“I liked a lot about Alabama,” Odom said. “Outside of the people, the way the football team is held to a high standard made them different. I love the standard at Alabama. It is to be great. The opportunity at my position too always had my attention. Playing my role in coach Tommy Rees’ offense was important too. Coach Rees had Michael Mayer and his role in the offense now at Alabama definitely helped.

“Playing for the best and with the best drew me to Alabama. Being able to compete with the best every day and learning from the best every day has me excited. I want to get there, compete and make an impact as early I can. Alabama always goes best on best and iron sharpens iron there, so I am excited to be a part of it.”

Relationship with TE coach Joe Cox was key

The first to know of Odom’s commitment at Alabama was tight ends coach Joe Cox, with whom Odom has built a strong relationship.

“I let coach Joe Cox know first earlier this week,” Odom said. “He was fired up. Then after coach Cox, I let coach Nick Saban know on Wednesday of this week. He was the same as coach Cox. Coach Saban told me that I made his day and they were excited to have me.

“I like coach Cox a lot. He is a guy I really connect with. He is really cool, and he is coaching me, but at the same time, he wants what is best for me as a person. coach Cox is younger, so I can relate to him and I feel like I can talk real life with him. My relationship with him was a big part of my decision. I will get coached by a great coach that I connect with, so coach Cox was very important.”

As is the case with many recruits who have chosen Alabama over the years, the man at the top of the coaching staff was quite a selling point. Head coach Nick Saban has built a tradition of excellence in Tuscaloosa, and that is crucial to Odom.

“Playing for Coach Saban is big for me,” Odom said. “Just knowing I had the opportunity to play for Coach Saban when Alabama offered me was big. Knowing he is Alabama was a big factor for me before I even started thinking about my decision. Getting to talk to him, hearing how soft-spoken he is and knowing what he can do as a head coach was huge. Coach Saban is an elite coach, so making that call to commit to him was cool. Alabama is one of the greatest programs ever, coach Saban is one of the greatest coaches ever, so to commit to him was different. It was really surreal.”