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ATH Target Caleb Odom Names Florida to Top 5, Shares Commitment Date

Florida Gators athlete target Caleb Odom narrows his focus to five schools as a newly announced July 15 commitment date approaches.

Brandon Carroll

ATH Target Caleb Odom Names Florida to Top 5, Shares Commitment Date
ATH Target Caleb Odom Names Florida to Top 5, Shares Commitment Date /
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On Wednesday afternoon, Florida Gators athlete target Caleb Odom trimmed the list of contenders vying to earn his services to five: Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, Miami and Texas A&M.

He will announce his commitment decision on July 15 via the On3 Sports Youtube Channel.

Odom has stood out as a top-priority pass-catching talent for the Gators dating back to his Dec. 7 offer. But, the interest Billy Napier and Co. have shown hasn't always been reciprocated.

At one point, the Gators were eliminated as a potential suitor to acquire Odom. 

However, to reinsert itself into the fold, Florida kept consistent contact and altered its recruitment pitch to the Carrollton (Ga.) product. Wideouts assistant Billy Gonzales floated the idea of aligning at wide receiver if he were to don orange and blue threads at the next level.

At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, Odom possesses prototypical size and length on the boundary, which shines on Friday nights at the prep level in abundance. He's also equipped with the movement skills to deviate from the tight-end spot he's most often been linked to for his collegiate career.

The Gators took advantage of that fact and moved him on their board from the pass-catching tight end designation to X-receiver as the search for a reliable piece at the spot for quarterback pledge DJ Lagway's arsenal continues. 

Russ Callaway, the tight ends coach, has also remained a point of contact in his recruitment as Odom would likely provide a Swiss army knife to use all across the formation if he chose UF, similar to former standout tight end Kyle Pitts' role, albeit opposite Pitts' usage as he'd spend more time at WR than TE.

"We watched a lot of film on how I could be used in this offense," Odom told All Gators after his multi-day stay in Gainesville June 9-11. "It's really mostly receiver, all over the place. I can like up in an H-back. Just really everything. It's really multiple roles." 

UF's retooled approach helped regain Odom's intrigue for the program when he released a top seven in early May. 

He officially visited the program June 9-11 and labeled them as the school going "head-to-head" with his top contender, Alabama, at the time.

"I'd say Florida is definitely pushing now. They're definitely up there for sure," Odom said, comparing his time at UF with his Alabama visit. "Those two are kind of going head-to-head right now."

The Crimson Tide are expected to still sit at the top of his shortlist of options for July 15, but the Gators will continue putting their best foot forward until then in an effort to land the dynamic playmaker.

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Brandon Carroll
BRANDON CARROLL

Brandon Carroll is a recent graduate of the University of Florida. He serves as the lead reporter for the Florida Gators FanNation-Sports Illustrated website, covering football, basketball and recruiting. When he isn't hard at work, he enjoys listening to music, playing flag football and basketball, spending time with his friends and family, and watching an array of television shows. Follow him on Twitter @itsbcarroll.

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