Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 285 pounds, Trajen Odom already has the type of frame to become an impactful Big Ten defensive tackle, but he must continue to build on that for the three-star prospect to prove he belongs at Ohio State.
Trajen Odom
- Size: 6-3/285
- Position: DT
- School: Weddington (Matthews, North Carolina
- 247Sports Composite: ★★★
- Composite Rank: #61 DL
- Overall Rank: #523
How He Became A Buckeye
Odom did not yet have a 247Sports composite ranking when Larry Johnson extended him an offer in January 2024. Even so, Odom was a priority for Ohio State from that moment on.
Following that offer, OSU instantly leaped into the defensive tackle's top three. Odom had been a fan of Ohio State for years.
“Growing up, Ohio State was one of my favorite schools,” Odom told Eleven Warriors. “It was crazy and great to get the offer. Larry Johnson has coached some of the greats, including the Bosa brothers and Chase Young. Chase Young is one of my favorite players so I was really excited to get that offer.”
Odom felt being a Buckeye would set him up for the best future both on and off the field.
“Just what Larry Johnson has produced,” Odom said of what was most appealing about playing for OSU. “And the brand of Ohio State. If you say Ohio State anywhere, people are going to know it. Also the connection to Nike and LeBron (James). Those are some things that stand out about Ohio State.”
Odom committed to Ohio State on June 28, 2024, choosing the Buckeyes over the likes of Oregon, USC and UCLA, among others.
High School Years
As a sophomore, Odom racked up 41 tackles (11 for loss) and five sacks. As a junior, he recorded 54 tackles (22 for loss), four sacks and one forced fumble.
#USC Gets Next Opportunity to Make Its Case for 4 North Carolina DL Trajen Odom in June
— Scott Schrader (@SSchraderOn3) May 14, 2024
Why the Trojans are a Top Option https://t.co/JYdaR7cJII via @On3USC #FightOn pic.twitter.com/wvIwL6aiGE
Odom transferred from Panther Creek to Weddington High School for his final high school season. As a senior, Odom totaled 38 tackles (five for loss), one sack and 17 quarterback hurries.
With a skill set that includes quick block-shedding techniques and the power to bull rush interior offensive linemen, Odom had plenty of success against both bigger and smaller opponents at the high school level.
Trajen Odom (@traajenn) makes it look easy again pic.twitter.com/yAUfdYt2VF
— Jed May (@JedMay_) May 12, 2024
Immediate Impact
Better Know A Buckeye
Ohio State is looking for depth to step up behind starters Eddrick Houston and Kayden McDonald at defensive tackle this fall. Tywone Malone, Will Smith Jr. and Jason Moore are the leading candidates to back them up, but the door is open for Odom to make a push for playing time right away.
That said, even though Odom already has enough size to contend for playing time as a freshman, he’ll likely need time to both build muscle and fine-tune his skill set before he’ll be ready to play a significant role for the Buckeyes, making next year a more likely target for Odom to start pushing for a spot on the two-deep.
Long-Term Impact
After developing early in his career, Odom will look to establish himself as a regular in Ohio State’s defensive tackle rotation.
While he has enough size to potentially develop into a nose tackle, Odom believes he could be a difference-maker at the three-technique spot or potentially even play defensive end situationally.
“I see myself as three-technique, but also I can wide out to a five-technique on third downs to get a mismatch,” Odom said. “It’s all about seeing if I can get the one-on-one and get to the quarterback.”
Given that Ohio State doesn’t have many established defensive tackles at the moment, there’s plenty of runway for Odom to climb the depth chart and earn a major role on Ohio State’s interior defensive line if he proves to be the mismatch-maker he believes he is.
Player Comparison: Ty Hamilton
After redshirting his first season in Columbus, Hamilton slowly began contributing for Ohio State as a backup over the next two years. Then, in his fourth and fifth seasons as a Buckeye, the defensive tackle was a mainstay in the trenches, racking up 89 tackles (11 for loss) and 5.5 sacks in 29 games during his final two seasons at Ohio State.
Hamilton played a substantial role in Ohio State’s defense being one of the best in the country over the past two years, particularly in regards to stopping the run, and he was a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft as a result.
Boasting similar size as the 6-foot-3, 290-pound Hamilton, Odom’s Ohio State career would be a success if he can make a similar impact as Hamilton – who was also a three-star recruit out of high school – by the end of his career.
