CLEMSON — Once again, Clemson’s big official visit weekend hit the mark.
One of the many uncommitted targets on hand was four-star cornerback Danny Odem (First Academy, Orlando, FL). In fact, Odem was a late addition to the guest list. He was originally set to be at Penn State.
“Me and Coach Reed got a good relationship,” Odem told The Clemson Insider. “Him and my family got a good relationship. I was just cutting my top teams, and Clemson made the cut. Found an opening for them, and we set up the visit.”
Odem first visited back in March for the Elite Retreat. That is when he picked up his offer. Now, after attending the Tigers’ two biggest recruiting events of the year, Odem has a much better feel for Dabo Swinney’s program.
“The culture. Just how Clemson grinds,” Odem said. “Coach Dabo really just built it up, brick by brick, step by step. I like how they run their organization. Like Clemson only offers certain guys that fit them. They also take care of their people for life after football. They have 20-something previous players on the coaching staff.”
Over the past few weeks, cornerbacks coach Mike Reed has amped up his efforts when it comes to recruiting Odem, and their relationship is really starting to blossom. Odem was actually the only corner on hand this weekend, and he got a lot of attention from Reed.
“It gets better day after day,” Odem said of their relationship. “He always reaches out. He don’t just recruit me, he asks about my family, checking up on the family. Him and my grandpa will be on the phone for an hour and a half, two hours.”
There is also another thing that attracts Odem to Clemson. His high school teammate, four-star offensive lineman Chance Barclay, is currently committed to the Tigers, and he is doing everything he can to ensure that both are sporting the Paw at the collegiate level.
“It plays a big factor,” Odem said. “He probably recruits me the hardest out of any coach from any school, because I got to see him every day. He says Clemson is a very good place. The school we come from, a Christian school, it is a big school of faith. He could see me there, getting stronger with my faith, getting closer to God. Just grinding to accomplish all of my goals.”
Rivals ranks the 6-foot-1 prospect No. 72 overall and No. 8 among all corners in the 2026 class. As a junior, Odem was credited with 45 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defended, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He also added two tackles for loss and one quarterback hurry.
Odem was accompanied on the visit by his parents and his uncle. He still has officials set with Oklahoma (June 6), Auburn (June 10), Ohio State (June 13) and Nebraska (June 20), and it sounds like he is planning to see those through before making any kind of decision.
“Probably late June, after all my visits, or early July,” he said. “I’ll just keep talking to God about it. When I feel like the time is right, that is when I will do it.”
One thing Odem is looking for is an opportunity to get on the field early. With the Tigers not taking a corner in the last recruiting cycle, Jeadyn Lukus heading into his final season, and Avieon Terrell being eligible for the draft next spring, that opportunity could present itself at Clemson.
Another thing that is big for Odem is the relationships, and that is the part Clemson really excels at, particularly Reed.
“If I see an opening or a crease, I am going to take my shot,” Odem said. “Me and the coaches have to have a good relationship too. Have a good relationship with my family. A place where I can see myself staying for three or four years.”
Photo courtesy of Danny Odem