Florida TE Jonathan Odom to Enter Transfer Portal
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Gators junior tight end Jonathan Odom on Sunday became the first Florida player to announce their plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal in the wake of the program's regular-season-ending loss to Florida State in Week 13.
Odom shared his intentions to complete his collegiate career elsewhere via X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
"After much prayer and consideration with my family and those closest to me over the past few weeks, I will be entering the transfer portal as a grad transfer with [two years] of eligibility remaining," Odom wrote. "I will be completing my degree, graduating from the University Of Florida and walking this December.
"As many who have followed my journey know, I have had many ups and downs but one thing I know is I gave this University and team everything I had every time I stepped on the field, and will forever be grateful for what it has done for me."
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Odom joined the Gators as a member of the 2020 recruiting class as a consensus three-star prospect from Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit. He redshirted the campaign before logging occasional snaps as a blocking tight end in 2021.
It was near the end of Odom's 2022 season, under a new coaching staff than the one that recruited him to Florida, when he began to flourish, albeit for a limited time. He caught two touchdowns over the final four games of the year, before tearing his ACL in UF's Las Vegas Bowl loss to Oregon State last December.
Odom was remarkably cleared to return to participation during Florida's fall training camp, however, making him available to play in Week 1 against Utah. He caught four passes for a single-game career-high 46 yards versus the Utes.
However, Odom would only make three more appearances in orange and blue before an upper-body injury ended his 2023 season after Week 5.
Odom finishes his UF career having caught 16 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns over 25 games played.
To conclude his departing message, Odom left a note of thanks to Florida's faithful, acknowledging the support he received from the fanbase not only during his time as a player, but growing up around the program, as the son of former Gators All-American offensive tackle Jason Odom.
"To the fans, there is truly no better feeling than running out into a packed Swamp on Saturdays," Odom said. "Coming from a legacy kid, life long fan, player, and soon to be alumni, you guys are what make The Swamp so special!"
Although Odom is the first Florida player to announce an imminent departure following the conclusion of the 2023 campaign, he is not the only member of the roster with plans to exit. Defensive back Jadarrius Perkins entered the transfer portal as a graduate student following Week 2, and offensive tackle Jordan Herman unofficially left the team after Week 11.
Florida's roster possesses five scholarship tight ends entering the 2024 offseason: Senior Keon Zipperer, who medically redshirted the 2023 campaign due to a major knee injury during the spring, redshirt freshmen Arlis Boardingham, Hayden Hansen and Andrew Savaiinaea, and true freshman Tony Livingston.
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