Name: Jacob Oden
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 206 lbs.
High school: Harper Woods (MI) Harper Woods
Position: Safety
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #5
Last year: Oden was a senior in high school (LINK). He made 56 tackles, 4 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 14 pass breakups while scoring 2 defensive touchdowns.
TTB Rating: 80
Oden is the son of a former walk-on fullback at Michigan, so the recruitment did not seem to be a difficult one. He was an ardent member of the 2024 class even when Jim Harbaugh was headed to the NFL. But Oden wasn't just a legacy recruit. He finished as a 247 Composite 4-star, the #27 safety, and #293 overall while also fielding offers from Auburn, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and others.
Oden enrolled early and could be on track to play some this season. In fact, he might have been one of the top few safeties if not for some late developments, such as landing Wesley Walker (Tennessee) and Jaden Mangham (Michigan State), while also securing the return of Quinten Johnson. That affords Oden a little more time to develop. He seems to have put on some good weight since his junior year, and Michigan now lists him at 206 pounds, which is good bulk for someone who's 6'1". Michigan now has the numbers to let Oden redshirt, but considering that he might be in line to start in 2025 (Makari Paige, Rod Moore, Johnson, and Walker could all move on), the coaching staff may want to get him some on-field experience.
Prediction: Backup safety
SpTms and mop up duty. Prepare to compete in 25
ReplyDeleteWas in line for a huge roll until DB transferpalooza. Astute observation on the 2025 depth chart situation. There will probably be more transfers coming again but Oden should be getting groomed for a job until then. A red-shirt might not be a luxury they can afford.
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