2024 4-star S Jacob Oden commits to Michigan, 'a childhood dream school'

After participating in the Battle Miami 7v7 Tournament, Harper Woods (Mich.) four-star safety Jacob Oden took an unofficial visit to Michigan on Jan. 23. During the trip to Ann Arbor, he caught up with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Oden had already announced a top five of the Wolverines, Iowa, Michigan State, Penn State and Tennessee. As a result, Minter encouraged him to trust his gut.

“He was like, ‘If you love a school and you’re 100%, then you might as well just take that shot,” Oden told On3. “If you love them and you know that’s where you’re comfortable at, do it.”

After listening to Minter’s advice, Oden knew he wanted to commit to Michigan. After talking it over with his family, the Michigan native let the Wolverines know a few days later. His first call went to defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale.

Oden eventually spoke to other Michigan coaches. However, Clinkscale quickly spread the word around the facility that the No. 5 player in Michigan was staying home.

“It means the world,” said Oden, the No. 173 overall prospect and No. 14 safety in the 2024 On3 Consensus. “A childhood dream school. The first ever football team I played for was the Wolverines. It just means the most. It’s a family tradition and I gotta keep it going.”

Clinkscale is like an ‘uncle’ to Oden

Clinkscale is a key reason why Oden chose to wear the maize-and-blue. The two have known each other since Oden was six years old. Oden believes Clinkscale can develop him into a better defensive back.

“Coach Clink is the head of everything,” Oden said. “He made sure the whole staff knew that, ‘Yeah, this is my guy. This is the No. 1 guy on our board.'”

Oden also has great relationships with other coaches, including Minter and head coach Jim Harbaugh. However, the four-star is so close with Clinkscale that he views him as “an uncle.”

“Everything,” Oden said on what he speaks with Clinkscale about. “The last time we talked, it was about football, learning the playbook, techniques, all that. But we talk about whatever comes up, just regular conversations. Sometimes, it’ll be outside of football. It’s just I got that uncle connection.”

Oden feels ‘like home’ in Ann Arbor

Oden estimates he has visited Michigan more than 10 times. The four-star is so comfortable around Ann Arbor that if someone dropped him off in the middle of campus, he would know exactly where he was.

“It’s like home,” Oden said.

That feeling, as well as his connection with the Wolverines’ coaches, helped set Michigan apart from other finalists, specifically Penn State and Tennessee. The 6-foot-0.5, 185-pound recruit shared that his decision was incredibly difficult.

However, he believes that “it can’t get any better than what it is” at Michigan.

“The fan base is crazy,” Oden said. “They’ll even know our names. They’ll have kids come up to us, ask for our pictures and all that. And then, it’s just the atmosphere. Last year, I went to the Ohio State game and I’ve never seen anything like that.”

Oden is the first in-state recruit to join the Wolverines’ 2024 recruiting class. He is ready for more talented prospects to follow him to Ann Arbor.

“Once I made my decision, I know I’ve got some guys coming behind me,” Oden said. “We’re only going up from here. There’s no slowing down, College Football Playoff, national championship coming. The team they’re building right now is just crazy, just keep the world on watch.”