Odrick Stays Close to Home

After months of speculation, Jared Odrick made it official today and committed to the Penn State football program. Odrick, a 6-foot-6, 285-pound four-star defensive lineman from Lebanon High in Lebanon, Pa., chose Penn State over Florida.

Odrick made the announcement at a jam-packed afternoon press conference at his high school.

The Nittany Lion coaching staff recruited Odrick to play defensive end. He marks Penn State's 12th commitment of the season.

The defensive line is an area of priority for Penn State with the Class of 2001. The Nittany Lions lose three starters from this year's squad — All-American end Tamba Hali, first-team All-Big Ten tackle Scott Paxson and veteran end Matthew Rice.

Scout.com recruiting analyst Bob Lichtenfels has been following Odrick since the end of his junior season. Lichtenfels' tacke on the prospect:

"This is a key get at a position of need for Penn State considering the graduation losses that will impact the defense up front. Odrick has not even begun to scratch the surface as far as being a football player. This kid is freakish in terms of his athleticism. At 6-foot-6, 285 pounds, he runs a legitimate 4.9-second 40-yard dash and a 4.34 pro agility. Odrick loves defense and that is where he wants to play, but he has the frame and athletic ability to develop into an early NFL draft pick as an offensive tackle.”

Odrick will play in January's U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

We will have more on this commitment shortly.

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