Interview: Crest 2017 WR Tyshun Odom Adding to School Record Setting Career

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Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Breaking a franchise, team, or school record in any sport is a pretty amazing accomplishment. A career mark on an all-time list can hold a little more weight than a single-game school record because the standout player has to be consistently prolific over time instead of having that one amazing game. Crest High School (Shelby) wide receiver Tyshun Odom has been steadily assaulting the Chargers all-time receiving records and still has several games to put his stat line even further out of reach for the next group of talented North Carolina receivers.

Odom started showing his play-making abilities during his sophomore season ending with 30 receptions, 463 yards, and six touchdowns. In 2015, Odom hit another gear compiling 1,438 yards off 72 passes hauled in with 16 touchdowns. Another measurement of his high on the field productivity, during the 2014 season he carried a 15.4 yard per reception average. During his junior year Odom bumped that up to 19.6 yards per reception.

Odom is making the most of his senior season with 34 receptions, 404 yards, and four touchdowns, all team-highs through five games. The 5-11.5, 177 pound, talent is playing ironman football lining up at cornerback netting seven tackles and one pick even though the opposition tends to go the other way when he is on the field. Early into his senior season, Odom made his official mark as one of Crest’s all-time greats setting the record for receptions and yards.

All of the big plays for Odom have been purposeful helping Crest to back-to-back 16-0 seasons bringing home more trophies for the school’s mantle in 2014-15. The Chargers took a surprising opening season 27-12 loss to South Point but reeled off five wins in a row before a tough 21-19 loss to Kings Mountain Friday night. Odom has games left against East Burke, East Rutherford, Burns, and Shelby before the Chargers hit the ground running in the playoffs seeking to defend their state title, ample time and opportunities to keep adding to his impressive high school resume.

Adding to the overall great character of Odom, he isn’t even sure about his career numbers as long as he is helping the Chargers win.

Odom has garnered regional interest and offers with Gardner-Webb, North Carolina Central, Tusculum, Old Dominion, Liberty, and Charleston Southern handing out a scholarship with teams like North Carolina checking in on his progress.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the record setting receiver to get his thoughts on his senior season and recruiting news update.

Interview

How is the 2016 season going for Crest?

“It started out slow but it is picking up. The season is going good so far. We are picking it up.”

How is the season going for you personally?

“All the teams know what I can do. I think it’s going great. Better than last year.”

What did you work on in the off-season to prepare for the 2016 season?

Conditioning, getting stronger, working on the fundamentals of the game. Route running, foot work, things like that.

What are some of the biggest gains you have made with your game from last year?

“Catching in traffic and yards after the catch.”

What are the strengths of your game as a wide receiver?

“My route running and knowing the coverages. I’m good at reading the defense and getting in an open spot.”

Which game has been your best so far this season?

“I think the Roberson game was my best (won 20-7). I was able to get it done on both sides of the ball. The coaches fed me the ball and I got the job done. I made plays for the defense and we won that one.”

You are the school record setter now. What stat line did you set the record?

“All-time in yards and receptions.”

What was the school mark you broke?

“Honestly, I don’t know. I think catches was 140-something maybe 150.”

Whose record did you break?

“Chelsey Boarders. I think he graduated in 1998 and played at UNC (North Carolina).”

Which schools have extended offers to you?

“Gardner-Webb, North Carolina Central, Tusculum, Old Dominion, Liberty, and Charleston Southern.”

Are any schools showing interest but have not offered you yet?

“I have some teams that have asked for my test scores because they like my film.”

Have you taken any visits yet?

“I went to Lenoir-Rhyne (Hickory, North Carolina) this past week on an unofficial. I’m going to Liberty next Saturday on an unofficial visit.”

How did your visit to Lenoir-Rhyne go?

“It went well.”

What are you looking for in a team or university you verbally commit to?

“Their majors, the type of offense they run, and the culture around the school. Is it a Christian school? That kind of thing.”

What are you wanting to major in once in college?

“I have ideas on what I want to major in but I have not set anything yet. I’m thinking about engineering or business.”

What is your overall GPA?

“3.5.”

Back to football, how does Crest look going into the back half of the season?

“I think we will make a deep run and go back to the championship. The team is starting to come together. We are young but everyone is coming together. We’ll be ready.”

There were some great college football games over the weekend. Did any games standout to you?

“The N.C. State/Notre Dame game. They were playing in the rain. That was crazy. I did not get to see many of the games, we were on the road all day.”

Tyshun, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your season.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: everipedia.com; No. 16 Tyshun Odom fights for more yards.

Photo credit: hudl.com; No. 16 Tyshun Odom pre-snap.

Photo credit: shelbystar.com; No. 16 Tyshun Odom pulls in touchdown pass.