ATHENS, Ohio-- As the Bobcats broke out from day 11 of fall camp on Tuesday morning at Peden Stadium, every player stated the goal for the season, "MAC champs."
For redshirt fifth year "super senior"
Cameron Odom, his role to help the team accomplish its goal is to stay consistent at every snap, he said.
"Coming into practice every day and doing what I'm supposed to do and just catching the ball," Odom said. "I tell myself to trust myself and trust in God and just play."
Odom, a wide receiver, has been poised to have a breakout season the last two years as a team captain. In 2019, Odom caught 19 passes for 209 yards and he caught two receptions for 35 yards last season in three games.
In camp, the Bedford, Ohio native has been one of the top targets by both quarterbacks,
Kurtis Rourke and
Armani Rogers. Odom, now in his sixth training camp, is looking to bring a healthier and more focused version of himself into the 2021 season.
"Something that I have really focused on is just making sure that I do the right recovery when my body moves out of practice so that every day I can come in and produce," Odom said. "I've been having fun with it; that's the one thing I say every day is come in here and have fun."
Odom is now able to have more fun in camp due to his years of experience. Coming into this season, he chose to return for his final year of eligibility because he wanted to finish his college career the right way after seeing how quickly things can be taken.
Now as a veteran and a leader in camp, Odom is looking to teach his younger teammates things that he didn't learn until later in his career. He is also trying to pass on what he was taught as a younger player by former Bobcats like Jordan Reid and Sebastian Smith.
"They all told me to guard my character and that's been my biggest thing here, trying to do everything right," Odom said. "No one is perfect but being coachable, listening, learning, and when I come out here play fast. If I mess up, I mess up full speed and try to get better."
Odom also has had the benefit of learning from a great coach on the staff, wide receivers coach
Dwayne Dixon, who is in his 15
th season at Ohio. The receiver makes sure that everyone in the room listens to Dixon while he is speaking.
"As far as the receiver room, I've harped on them listening to Coach Dixon," Odom said. "Coach Dixon is a legend in my eyes, and he's taught me so much in the career that I have. I'm blessed to be here, and I felt like I was always in the right position so I try to teach these guys the stuff that I've known and learned throughout these six years to make things easier on them."
Looking forward, Odom is excited for the challenge of playing a power five team in Syracuse on September 4. He also is looking forward to playing a bigger role in winning Ohio's first game against a power five team since the Bobcats beat Kansas in 2017.
Odom had one reception for five yards in that 42-30 win.
"That's one of the things that I definitely want to do, especially with me playing in this game," Odom said. "I want to come in here and set the tone for the season."
2021 Ohio Football Fall Camp Practice Schedule
Practice 11 – Aug. 18 – 9:05 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Practice 12 – Aug. 19 – 9:05 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Practice 13 – Aug. 20 – 9:05 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Practice 14 (Scrimmage) – Aug. 21 – 9 a.m.
Practice 15 – Aug. 23 – 3:25 p.m.
Practice 16 - Aug. 24 – 3:25 p.m.
Practice 17 - Aug. 25 – 3:30 p.m.
Practice 18 - Aug. 26 – 2:30 p.m.
Practice 19 - Aug. 27 - 3:30 p.m.
#OUohyeah
