Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > High School Huddle > Archives > 2011 > February > 16 > Entry
OSU extends offer to Centerville DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
CENTERVILLE — It’s not a stretch to label Ifeadi Odenigbo of Centerville High School’s football program a quick study.
Landing an offer from Ohio State University after just two seasons of playing football is as quick as it gets.
An outstanding and mobile defensive end, the 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior was entrenched on one of the Elks’ best defensive fronts in program history last season. He played alongside another OSU recruit, defensive tackle Michael Bennett, who’ll report to the Buckeyes this summer.
The son of Nigerian parents, Odenigbo wasn’t allowed to play football until his sophomore year.
What makes Odenigbo so intriguing is his mixture of size, strength and speed. He was the Elks’ best sprinter last spring, excelling on the 400- to 1,600-meter relays. He also ran away with Centerville’s preseason conditioning test last fall, a combination of strength, agility and speed.
Elks coach Ron Ullery said that OSU is recruiting Odenigbo to play the Viper position, a hybrid pass rusher, outside linebacker and defensive end. That’s where recent OSU standouts Thaddeus Gibson and Bobby Carpenter excelled.
“He plays with great leverage and uses his hands really well,” Ullery said.
“And he shows unusual toughness. He sticks his nose in there and has really learned to like the physical part of the game.”
Ullery likened only one other Centerville player in program history who matched Odenigbo in size, speed and ability: 1983 grad Matt Bradley (UCLA, Pitt). “And Matt was one of the best players that we’ve ever had here,” said Ullery.
OSU also extended an offer to Canton McKinley defensive end Sevon Pittman on Wednesday.
Odenigbo is the area’s front runner as the most sought-after recruit for the class of 2012. Besides the Buckeyes, he has offers from Cincinnati, Toledo, Stanford, Syracuse, West Virginia, Northwestern, Indiana, Boston College, Michigan State, Michigan and Illinois.
Don’t be surprised to see Odenigbo also playing offense as a senior next season, either at running back, receiver or on the line.
“That’s top secret,” assured Ullery.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Football recruiting
Tweet
Comments
By TNT
February 16, 2011 6:32 PM | Link to this
Pendleton should check some facts before making such statement. This year’s D-Line wasn’t even in the top 5. He mentioned Matt Bradley, who anchored one of the top 5. Andy Harmon, Andy Krupa and Jeff Clendenin were on the DL that helped the Elks to a national ranking, 18th by USA Tomorrow. Then you had the 1990 team that allowed just 77 points and the 78, 79, 80 and 81 teams all were better too.
By Elkpride
February 16, 2011 6:36 PM | Link to this
I agree. The 76 team had Bill Becker and Terry Bach, All-Ohio, The 80 team had Dave Morrill, who played for the Broncos, and Nick Baldridge and Chad Brightman anchored the 93 DL. This season’s team doesn’t compare to half of those. Look how Wayne shredded that defense.
By Grandma Wyatt
February 16, 2011 6:57 PM | Link to this
Easy, TNT and Elkpride. The phrase is “one of the Elks’ best,” which does not imply the best or even better than all those teams that you mention. Props to those teams that you played on.
By Mr. Smith
February 16, 2011 8:09 PM | Link to this
Unlike everyone else, I want to take a moment to congratulate Ifeadi. He is a great player, student and person. He will be a great addition to any program that he chooses.
By Grandma Wyatt
February 16, 2011 11:15 PM | Link to this
I’m guessing that none of those great Elks teams mentioned above faced a future OSU QB. There’s a reason why Wayne played in a state final and none of those teams advanced that far. Even the 1991 Centerville team that played in a state final lost two games. Please, we might as well argue about the 1975 Steelers defense vs. the 2000 Ravens. Mr. Smith, yours is the voice of reason.
By Obiwu
February 20, 2011 10:34 AM | Link to this
Ifeadi Odenigbo is a great gift to Miami Valley. He will stand out in any program that recruits him. I vote for the Buckeyes or my Orangemen, Syracuse! Congratulations!!!
By null
February 21, 2011 9:48 AM | Link to this
most likely the best Centerville defense was the ‘77 team that was 10-0, gave up 28 pts but also scored 36! That team had 23 inteceptions, 14 blocked punts & 20+ fumble recoveries. They gave up 322 yds. rushing for the year. It was mostlyb 2 & 3 sports kids. Out of the 11 def. statrters, 8 played college sports