Trajen Odom, 2025 4-star DL, commits to Ohio State football. What we know:
Ohio State has added another defensive lineman in the 2025 recruiting class.
Trajen Odom, a North Carolina four-star, committed to Ohio State Friday. He chose the Buckeyes over programs such as Oregon, UCLA and Southern California.
THE CRIBBBB, O-H🏠 https://t.co/Sh5nxxoC2w
— ✞Trajen Odom ✞ (@traajenn) June 28, 2024
Odom is ranked as the No. 283 player and No. 31 defensive lineman in the 2025 class per 247Sports' composite rankings.
Odom received an offer from Ohio State in January before officially visiting the Buckeyes June 7-9. After the official visit, Ohio State linebacker commit Eli Lee said the Buckeyes became Odom's "number one."
Odom is one of three defensive linemen committed to the Buckeyes in 2025 joining Philadelphia four-star edge Zahir Mathis and four-star London Merritt, who is originally from Georgia, but who plays for IMG Academy in Florida.
Odom, out of Weddington High School in Matthews, North Carolina, had 54 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss and four sacks in 2023 per 247Sports.
Odom is Ohio State's first commitment from North Carolina since four-star wide receiver Noah Rogers in 2023. Rogers transferred to NC State after one season with the Buckeyes.
Trajen Odom commitment analysis: What it means for Ohio State
In Odom, Larry Johnson and Ohio State has a few options.
Odom is built like a college defensive tackle, standing at 6-foot-4, 285-pounds. But at Weddington, Odom was a defensive end.
In Mathis, the Buckeyes have a true edge rusher in the style of a typical Johnson defensive end, standing at 6-foot-6, 225 pounds. But Odom has the experience to line up wherever Ohio State needs him to.
Ohio State's defensive line room in 2025 is filling up. In the Ryan Day era, the Buckeyes have landed an average of nearly four defensive lineman in each class. In 2024, Ohio State had three in Eddrick Houston, Eric Mensah and Dominic Kirks.
And with Odom, Johnson has his four along with Mathis, Merritt and Grady. But with Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton departing from the program after the 2024 season, Johnson may not be done, with players such as four-star defensive tackle Maxwell Roy and four-star defensive lineman and Auburn commit Malik Autry remaining on the Buckeyes' board.
Four-star edge Justin Hill remains on the board as well as Jim Knowles' top target at the jack position – the Buckeyes' hybrid defensive end and linebacker.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football: 2025 4-star DL Trajen Odom announces commitment
