Big lineman Odrick earns three more offers

Lineman Jared Odrick out of Lebanon, Pa. has picked up three new offers, one each from the ACC, SEC and Pac 10.

The 6-foot-6, 295-pounder recently picked up offers from Florida, Oregon and Virginia Tech. What does Odrick think about the offer from the Gators?

"They called us later in the day after they had thought they lost my tape and they said you have a full ride to Florida," he said. "It wasn't really a surprise, but it's a solid offer and I liked it. Of course, historically they have had a great program and they are a great place to go to school especially with Urban Meyer coming in. I want to see what they can do because they want me at offensive tackle. I've got to keep in more contact with them and see what they have to offer.

"When I talked to coach Meyer, he talked about how Florida is a great program and when he was searching for a school to coach at he choose Florida because he thinks he can get to a national championship there the quickest. They are saying one to three years is a reality that they can win the championship, so I like the conversation and I'm planning on visiting them on a southern swing this summer."

What did Odrick think about the offer from the Ducks?

"I've been receiving mail from them since early in my sophomore year, nothing too big until the offer just popped up one day," he said. "From a distance, I remember Oregon being on the national scene a couple years ago and they have a strong program, they also want me for offensive line. The distance isn't a problem right now, but I'll have to think more about that this summer, but I appreciate the offer."

Finally, what about the offer from the Hokies?

"Coming into this recruiting process as a freshman and early sophomore, Virginia Tech was one of my favorite schools, a school I could envision myself playing at," he said. "Then they didn't show too much attention, but now they've popped up and given me an offer and I'll give them a fair chance to recruit me.

"That's a great program just like all these teams recruiting me, they all have really strong programs. Every year they are plugging away and they are a BCS contender and they are a school I've always liked, not just because of their colors, but I like the way they run their program. It's unique how they run special teams and they pride themselves in that, I like that about them and it's a little different. They have a great coaching staff and I want to see what they're all about. They are recruiting me as an offensive tackle too."

Did any of the offers really stand out to lineman?

"The offers from Florida and Virginia Tech stuck out," he said. "Florida because it's my first Florida school and they are a powerhouse for football, while Virginia Tech because of their history and they have great teams on defense and offense and being that they are a team to be reckoned with."

One other offer that Odrick received two weeks ago was from North Carolina.

"That was a big offer, I love the campus and my aunt works there as a professor," he said. "She always feeds me information about North Carolina and also knowing what they can do with freaks like Julius Peppers is great. I like their campus and school and I'll give them a fair shot."

One factor that could be important in Odrick's recruiting is what position he plays.

"I'd prefer to play defensive line," he said. "If I'm comfortable at a school and I happen to be on the offensive line, that happens, but it's definitely a factor in my recruiting. Right now, Penn State, Virginia, Michigan State, Connecticut, Duke, Minnesota and Maryland are recruiting me for defensive line."

Two weeks ago, Odrick made a trip to Penn State.

"I went up there for a practice and it went pretty good, I watched the defensive line and I got to see coach Larry Johnson in action which was good," he said. "I like the way coach Johnson handles his players and the way he coaches, he's the main thing I like about Penn State. I also want to see what they can do with speed players now, but they looked good in practice."

This spring Odrick plans to attend combines including the Nike Camp at Penn State, Elite College Combine in East Rutherford, New Jersey and the Akron All-American combine.

"I'm hoping to come in and dominate, that's what I want to do," he said. "I want to show that I'm a top 100 player and just back up all the attention I'm getting. My coach is emphasizing staying athletic and I've gained 10-pounds of muscle in a new program he started for me."

Odrick is also running track which helps in his preparation for the combines.

"It's going good; I just broke the school record for the shot put," he said. "I'm doing decent and it's helping a lot with my football. My throwing coach is my strength and conditioning coach and it's helping to get my strength up and my 40 down."

The lineman is also seeing his share of interest in recruiting with basketball.

"I've gotten stuff from LaSalle, South Carolina, Penn State, Colgate, Rhode Island, St. Francis," he said. "It's a thought to do basketball in college and we'll see what happens."

As for a decision, it will be a long ways down the line for Odrick.

"I'm gong to take all my officials during the football season and I want to see a few games in action," he said. "I plan to make a few trips this summer to narrow my list down, but its wide open right now."

This summer Odrick is looking at attending camps at Maryland and Georgia.

Odrick posted 72 tackles, nine for loss, five sacks and two broken up passes as a junior. He was named first team all-conference, all-county and second team AAA all-state selection by the Pennsylvania Football News.

Odrick should easily qualify with a solid 2.9 GPA.