George Odum is an NFL All-Pro special teamer but he is ready to compete for a starting role at safety for the 49ers.
The four-year veteran spent his entire career with the Indianapolis Colts prior to signing a three-year deal with San Francisco. Odum has predominantly played on special teams but also started seven games at safety in his final season in Indianapolis.
“They brought me in to better the room and compete,” Odum said. “At the end of the day, they want me to compete at the safety spot. I’m going to do my very best every single day. And also I can bring in special teams.”
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SIGN UP HERE The 49ers have not re-signed veteran safety Jaquiski Tartt after seven seasons with the club. Odum will join a safeties group that currently includes Jimmie Ward, Talanoa Hufanga and Tarvarius Moore.
Odum is known for his tackling skills. Nicknamed “The Animal” while at Central Arkansas for his style of “hunting on the field,” the safety rarely misses a play. Odum originally played outside linebacker in high school and transitioned to safety in college.
While Odum is new to the Bay Area, he has been influenced by some prominent 49ers alumni. Bubba Ventrone, who spent eight seasons in the league and two with the 49ers, was Odum’s special teams coach in Indianapolis.
“He’s going to get on you If anything goes wrong on special teams,” Odum said of Ventrone. “He’s going to fuss and complain and I don’t want to let him down. One game he was telling me this gunner was unstoppable. He was ‘the guy.’ The same game I threw him in the bleachers just because Bubba challenged me that same week to get better.”
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Odum learned to hone in his special teams talents from Ventrone and has learned leadership skills from former 49ers defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. The two defenders played together the previous two seasons after the All-Pro defensive lineman was traded to the Colts.
“I got a little nickname for him and he knows what it is,” Odum said. “I call him Little Man, you know he’s the biggest person in the room. Man, D-Buck is really cool. He just brings that veteran leadership. You can feel D-Buck when he comes into the room just how massive he is and his presence in the room.
“Just watching on film, he’s relentless. That’s what I get from him, just a relentless effort to get better. I never really experienced that from other players. I guess I can take that and bring it back to here. And not only help myself but everybody else around me.”
If Odum can contribute on defense, special teams and as a leader, it end up being a high-value signing for the club.