Interview: North Carolina Crest 2017 WR Tyshun Odom Goes over 1,400 yards in Championship Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Few high school head coaches have been able to do what Will Clark has done with Crest High School over the past two years. Clark has put together back-to-back 16-0 seasons and put up a 14-2 record in 2013 with a run to the North Carolina state championship game before falling 38-31 to Southern.

The Shelby area team has talent on both sides of the ball but a one-two punch took hold a year ago and came to life on offense in 2015. Many already knew about 2016 running back Tre Harbison but before the 2015 season began many outside of Shelby knew about Class of 2017 wide receiver Tyshun Odom.

During the 2014 season, Harbison rushed for 1,843 yards with 36 touchdowns on the ground. Along the way to a state championship title, this 5’11.5”, 172 pound, sophomore receiver kept making plays. That receiver went on to pull in 30 receptions for 463 yards with six touchdowns cementing himself as a key contributor to the Chargers championship run.

When the 2015 season began, all eyes, and rightfully so, were on Harbison. The Virginia verbal commit did not disappoint rushing for 2,078 yards on 314 carries with 37 touchdowns on the ground adding another 19 receptions for 436 yards with six more scores in the passing game. Harbison’s compliment to the Chargers’ rushing attack was Tyshun Odom. Odom put up some video game style numbers of his own ending with 72 receptions, 1,438 yards, and 16 touchdowns carrying a 19.6 yard per reception average.

The time frame on college coaches finding about Odom is coming around the corner at any second, especially with 4-star linebacker Justin Foster helping bring scouting talent to the games. Odom has the size and speed to be on the outside or on the inside as a slot at the next level. That kind of adversity cannot be ignored by college recruiters nor his great hands and exceptional concentration on the ball with defenders draped on all sides.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with Odom to talk about Crest’s back-to-back championship run, how his progression as a wide receiver improved during his junior season, and got a recruiting update on the schools starting to bridge interest in the North Carolina talent.

Interview

Tyshun, first, congratulations on winning a second consecutive state championship.

“Thank you.”

Going back-to-back is difficult. I’m sure the team had that chip on their shoulder about winning again but did you expect another state title in 2015?

“I did but we had different setbacks and lost some guys during the season but we had the players and coaching staff to win again.”

When the clock rolled triple-zeroes, how did it feel knowing you were state champs again?

“It’s a blessing because not too many teams get to go to a state championship, but here we are back-to-back state champs. It’s just a blessing.”

Do you think the Chargers can three-peat?

“Yeah I think we have a shot. We are losing some key players on both sides of the ball. The Class of ‘17 out of Crest, we’ve been playing together since ninth grade. We have the experience and talent to do it.”

How did the 2015 season go for you from start to finish?

“I think my junior year went fine. My stats went up a lot. I think coming into the season knowing that the quarterback (Willie Green) and I have the experience of being on the field together. We were together on offense. He told me where to go and what he wanted. That experienced helped.”

What were some of the things you improved upon as a wide receiver from your sophomore year to your junior year?

“Some of the things I improved upon was my route running, opening up plays for my teammates, and learning how to play on Friday nights. I was better at adapting more to the game from one year to the other. I was also better, faster, and stronger.”

What are your strengths on the field as a wide receiver?

“I think my route running is one of my strengths. Every day in practice the coaches tell me that others don’t run routes like I do. They keep telling me at the next level that will help me out. I think that is the most important thing to the position and getting open.”

What is the fastest you have been clocked in the 40-yard dash?

“I was clocked at 4.5 last year.”

What was your best game in 2015 and why do you consider that game your best?

“I think it was against Shelby (Nov. 6), that is a big rivalry game (won 40-33) for us. I was pumped up for that game since before the season. Everyone wants to show out in a rivalry game, that’s what I did. I had six catches for 101 yards and one touchdown.”

What are you going to work on in the offseason to ensure an even more successful senior season?

“I’m going to work on getting stronger. I’m going to work on my route running more, getting off the ball, all the receiver things, and catching the ball better – stuff like that.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you right now?

“I have an offer from Tusculum, a college in Tennessee, and Carolina and Vanderbilt have shown interest. That’s about it that I know of.”

What type of interaction have you had with the North Carolina coaching staff?

“Their wide receivers coach (Gunter Brewer) texts me on Twitter. He texted me congrats on winning the state championship. He said I had a great season. I guess he saw my highlights. He also said you’re getting better every day.”

Are you planning on going to any one-day college camps during the offseason?

“Yes sir. This past summer I went to Carolina’s camp, Wake Forest’s camp, and Tusculum’s camp. I forgot some but went to others.”

Which camps would you like to attend coming up?

“I plan on attending a lot. I want to go to camps like The Opening. I’d like to go to Clemson, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Carolina, schools like that.”

How is everything in the classroom? Keeping your grades up?

“Yes sir. I have a 3.3 GPA.”

Have you taken any of your standardized college entrance exams yet?

“No. I think I take the SAT on Jan. 28.”

Have you started thinking about what you want to major in while in college?

“I’ve been thinking about engineering. Maybe mechanical engineering but I’m not sure yet.”

Have you found out if you made any all-city, all-area, or all-state teams yet?

“They have not released all-state yet. I was second in the conference in touchdowns, receiving yards, and catches but I don’t think I made all-conference.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“My favorite part about playing football is the contact. I like the contact.”

Tyshun, thanks for your time today and good luck at the college camps during the offseason.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: shelbystar.com; No. 16 Tyshun Odom

Photo credit: Odom Family; No. 16 Tyshun Odom