DT Odrick emerges as defensive star for Penn State

Dec 14, 2009 - 11:09 PM By GENARO C. ARMAS AP Sports Writer

STATE COLLEGE, Pa.(AP) -- Tackles don't often get the recognition on Penn State defenses that specialize in developing star linebackers.

But it's been hard to overlook Jared Odrick this year, both for his intimidating 6-foot-5 frame and his imposing play for the No. 11 Nittany Lions (10-2). Big Ten coaches took notice, eventually naming him defensive player of the year.

He's less than three weeks from closing his stellar collegiate career at the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1 against No. 13 LSU.

"Odrick is an outstanding football player, and I think that he deserves" all the accolades, coach Joe Paterno said last week at bowl media day. JoePa usually talks about his best players in succinct phrases.

"He practices hard. He even played hurt. He practiced hurt," Paterno said. "He's a big-time player."

Opposing coaches notice, too, sometimes devoting too much attention to Odrick.

With his quickness and long, powerful arms, Odrick can be a matchup nightmare and force overmatched linemen to rely on double-teams.

That, in turn, gives Penn State's tough linebacking crew more room to get to the ball carrier. Middle linebacker Josh Hull, who plays right behind Odrick, was often the beneficiary of Odrick's work with a team-high 110 tackles.

"Any time a defensive lineman can squeeze more than one offensive lineman, it allows us to flow free to the ball," Hull said. "He's done that the entire season to allow me to be very productive."

Odrick is just the fourth Nittany Lions player to win conference defensive player-of-the-year honors, joining ends Michael Haynes (2002) and Courtney Brown (1999), and linebacker LaVar Arrington (1998).

In a sense, this has been a banner year for defensive tackles with the attention garnered by Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh, who was fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting this season.

Odrick was rooting for his fellow tackle to win the award that eventually went to Alabama running back Mark Ingram on Saturday.

"The more accolades he gets, the more D-tackle position gets respect in terms of how much of a key part (it) plays on defense," Odrick said Friday. "People overlook it because they don't score touchdowns, the don't have receiving or rushing yards, or passing yards. To be able to see what he did statistically on the field is amazing."

Odrick has emerged as a big-time player on his own merits. He can strike a menacing stone-faced glare on the field. Teammates praise his work ethic on the practice field and in the weight room.

It's paid off with a season that nabbed him high praise from Big Ten coaches - even more impressive given his position.

"It's definitely an honor," Odrick said, "but it's not like I was sitting there waiting, looking at my watch, saying 'When are they going to call for the player of the year award?"'