Oh, Hello: Three-Star New Jersey RB Chukwuma Odoh Commits To Penn State

THE SKINNY

Height/Weight: 6-foot-0, 215 pounds
Hometown/High School: Plainfield, NJ (Paramus Catholic)
Ranking: ★★★ (87 Rivals — No. 55 running back)
Notable Offers: Auburn, Kentucky, Miami, Michigan State, Syracuse, Wisconsin

HIGHLIGHTS

OUTLOOK

Penn State landed South Carolina four-star Aiden Gibson earlier this week, which was apparently just the nodge Odoh needed to make the call for the Nittany Lions to become the second running back in the class. Like Gibson who reports at 6-foot-1, 215 pounds, Odoh is a big back himself which kind of aligns with the general strategy that Matt Campbell has implemented across every position — big people are good at football.

Beyond the size, Odoh displays some really impressive coordination and balance on his runs. He’s not particularly shifty in space as far as jukes and spin moves though, but there’s a subtleness to his game thanks to his quick feet. It’s bit a Kaytron-esque who was not breaking ankles with stop-and-start hesitation moves, but was winning because of a big frame that stayed under control even in tight spaces. Odoh shows a lot of that as well, which is a good sign for his future.

Odoh certainly has great track speed (he recently ran a 10.86 in the 100 meter), but I don’t if that type of speed necessarily pops up on film. Not to say he is slow by any measure — his speed is well above-average — but I wouldn’t label him a burner in the Nick Singleton sense of if he gets a step on you he’s gone. Still, plenty of athleticism and speed to work with, especially with his size and frame.