'08 IN TE/DE Anthony Oden (Arkansas Verbal)

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'08 IN TE/DE Anthony Oden



Ht: 6-8 Wt: 280
Position: DE, TE
Year: Class of 2008
High School: Dunbar HS
(Dayton, OH)

WholeHogSports.com - THE RECRUITING GUY : Oden’s younger brother has UA among three visits

One Arkansas Razorbacks football recruit who passes the eye test is offensive tackle / tight end Anthony Oden of Indianapolis Lawrence North. Oden is the younger brother of former Ohio State star and current Portland Trail Blazer Greg Oden.

Oden, 6-8, 295 pounds, 4. 87 seconds in the 40-yard dash, made an unofficial visit to Arkansas during the season to watch the Hogs play Florida International and plans to take an official visit to Fayetteville later this month.

“I have an official visit set [for Jan. 25 ],” Oden said. “I talked to [assistant ] Coach [Tim ] Horton two days ago. I’ve been talking to him off and on for the last couple of weeks.”

Oden said he plans to take only three official visits. One visit will be to Oregon State, which is an hour and half away from Portland, where his brother lives.

“I’m not going to a bunch of visits,” Oden said. “There’s only like a couple of schools that I’m considering right now. That’s Arkansas, Oregon Sate and Indiana University. I visited both Oregon State and Arkansas. They’re both nice campuses and the coaches are all nice, but I have to go on an official visit to get a feel for the school.”

Oden said Arkansas is recruiting him as an offensive tackle or tight end. He said he had no preference. Oregon State and Indiana are recruiting him as a tight end.

While most of Oden’s communication has been with Horton, he did get a chance to talk to newly hired offensive line coach Mike Summers, who joined the staff from the Atlanta Falcons.

“I talked to the offensive line coach,” Oden said. “He coached for the Atlanta Falcons. I had a conversation with him. He’s going to come by here and visit me and come by the school and get a feel for me and my family in the next few weeks. He knows exactly what you need to do to get to the next level; that’s a major plus.”

Oden’s relationship with former Razorbacks track All-American Mike Conley, who is Greg Oden’s agent, and former Arkansas All-SEC defensive end Steven Conley is a plus for the Razorbacks.

“I talked to Steve Conley [on Saturday ],” Oden said. “He just told me to make the decision that’s best for me. He said Arkansas is great program to play in. He just told me to do what’s best for me.”

Another advantage for the Hogs is Oden’s familiarity with the Arkansas campus because of his unofficial visit in October and past participation in the ultrasuccessful Real Deal on the Hill basketball tournament held every spring in Fayetteville.

Oden reports having around 15 scholarship offers, from such schools as Nebraska, Wisconsin, Purdue, North Carolina State and Kansas.

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'08 OH OL/TE/DL Anthony Oden - BuckeyePlanet Ohio State Forums

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The 'little' Oden talks with OSU
Greg's brother Anthony, a 6-8, 295-pound offensive tackle/tight end, will officially visit three schools
Friday, January 11, 2008
PAUL BUKER The Oregonian Staff

Portland Trail Blazers' center Greg Oden says his "little" brother Anthony might play football at Oregon State.

Anthony Oden, a 6-foot-8, 295-pound offensive tackle/tight end from Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, has numerous scholarship offers but has said he will make only three official visits -- to Arkansas, Indiana and Oregon State.

"He is talking to Oregon State," Greg Oden said Wednesday night. "I don't know how far along they are (in the process). I think he sent off tape and they are looking at him. He would like to come out here and be close to me."

OregonLive.com: Everything Oregon

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The Morning News: Razorback Central : Arkansas Football: Big Weekend For Razorbacks Recruits

Oden, who came to an Arkansas game this season on an unofficial visit, announced earlier this week he planned to commit to Arkansas over Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon State.

He then took a home visit with new Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino and offensive line coach Mike Summers on Wednesday.

Oden lined up at tight end and defensive end in high school, but will be making the move to the offensive line in college.

"I know that I need to get in the weight room and get stronger for college," Oden said. "I also know it won't be an easy transition since I have been at tight end, but I will work hard on my technique. If I have to redshirt my first year I will understand, but I will just come in and work my hardest."