Brian Odom on What Stands Out About True Freshman Linebacker Tackett Curtis

USC fans are going to get their first in-person look at true freshman Tackett Curtis during the Trojans’ Spring Game tomorrow. Inside linebackers coach Brian Odom seems to have a pretty good idea of what they’re going to see. That’s because he’s seen it just about every day Curtis has been on campus as an early enrollee.

Curtis was the nation’s No. 121 overall prospect and No. 10 linebacker according to the 2023 On3 Industry Ranking. However, he was the No. 1 linebacker target for Odom and head coach Lincoln Riley throughout the process. Ohio State and Wisconsin were heavily involved for a player who excelled on defense, offense and special teams for a state champion. But USC eventually won out, giving the Trojans one of several massive recruiting wins in that class.

And after all the time and energy Odom put into recruiting Curtis, the USC coach has been able to see the result on the field.

“It’s kind of what you thought,” Odom said of his impression of Curtis through 14 spring ball practices.

Odom spent as much time as possible with Curtis throughout the recruiting process. But obviously NCAA rules limit how many visits he could make out to Louisiana and how many times he could see Curtis in person. So now that’s he’s involved in a daily basis, Odom did say there’s been one slight surprise.

“The thing that you learn about Tackett that was pretty unique is, you had a good idea what his best was, but how consistently he’s close to his best,” Odom said. “That’s the one thing that separates him from a lot of other people. He’s consistently very, very close to his best. He doesn’t have a lot of bad days. And his bad days aren’t far off from all of his good days.”

Odom said that’s a huge compliment to Curtis.

“He’s progressed a lot this spring camp,” Odom said. “He’s very physical. Got a unique knack to be able to find the ball. He is a competitor. He’s fearless. We’re lucky to have him. I’m glad he’s here.”

Curtis Also Impressing Teammates

Linebacker Shane Lee played with enough great players at Alabama that he knows what it looks like. He was a major help last season in changing the culture and showing the returning Trojans what it means to actually put in work in the weight room and the practice field. He’s not typically effusive in his praise or verbose during interviews, but it’s clear he sees something in Curtis.

“He’s a grinder,” Lee said of the freshman. “Definitely a leader…He’ll be an emerging guy that people look to for encouragement, for leadership, for everything. He’s going to be one of those guys, for sure.”

A lot of freshmen will typically say their goal is to just put their head down and work when they arrive on campus. Curtis’ ability to do just that made an impression.

“He just works,” Lee said. “Doesn’t say anything. He just does what he’s supposed to do.”

Looking Forward to the Fall

That work is going to get him on the field this fall. He’d seemingly be a great help on a number of special teams units. But he’s talented and advanced enough to be a capable backup at worst, and potentially a recurring starter, on defense.

“I think that if he continues to make plays, then you’re gonna see a lot of him,” Odom said.

The caution following that was the thing that comes with all freshmen. Knowledge of the playbook will be paramount. But Odom said that he’s shown great aptitude there based on where he started to where he is now in his understanding of the playbook and assignments.

So the key for Curtis to see the field quite a bit as a true freshman might be the thing that comes most naturally to him. He just has to keep doing what he’s doing.

“As long as he’s as physical as he’s been showing in these practices, and as fast as he is on the field,” Odom said. “His game speed is really, really fast. He’s got great closing speed. He cares about it and plays hard. So there’s a great chance.”