One of Alabama football’s top 2024 recruits began his first spring with the Crimson Tide at a new position. Caleb Odom, who came to Tuscaloosa as a tight end, was practicing with the receivers to start the spring.

Odom was scouted as a prospect who could play both positions, and Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan explained the switch on Friday.

“We’re just trying to put him in a position to be successful early on in his career,” Sheridan said. “You know he’s a big kid. He’s very athletic. He’s very explosive. He has a great frame. How his body grows and what he turns into being when he’s 20, 21, 22 years old, I think time will tell. He certainly runs good enough to play wide receiver. He runs very well, he’s a big target. So we just tried to put him in a position early on, to not try to run into 275-pound people, you know, put him in a position so he can have success.”

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Odom is listed on Alabama’s roster as a tight end. He came to the Crimson Tide as a four-star prospect, and the No. 2 TE in the class according to the 247Sports composite rankings.

He played his high school football at Carrollton in Georgia. Odom chose the Tide over offers from Georgia, Florida and Auburn among others.

Odom enrolled early at Alabama, and was with the team during its preparation for the Rose Bowl in January. He stuck around when Kalen DeBoer took over as head coach when Nick Saban retired.

Alabama wideouts coach JaMarcus Shephard praised how the youngster has adapted so far.

“Caleb shows up and he has a tremendous wide catch range and the ability to really absorb information and knowledge pretty quickly,” Shepherd said. “I think his coaches at his high school did a great job of preparing him for college and the expectations that are placed on him at a place like Alabama.”

Alabama is taking time off from spring practice for UA’s spring break. The Tide will return to the practice field March 19.

Spring ball will end April 13, with the A-Day game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.