Chris Odom Bio
Chris Odom (born September 16, 1994) is an American professional football defensive end for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League (UFL). Standing 6 ft 4 in and listed at 262 lb, he has built a professional career that spans the National Football League (NFL), the Alliance of American Football (AAF), the Canadian Football League (CFL), the United States Football League (USFL), and the UFL. He first gained national recognition in 2022 when he led the USFL in sacks and was named its Defensive Player of the Year with the Houston Gamblers.
Across multiple professional leagues, Odom has been a productive pass rusher, special teams contributor, and a respected locker-room presence. His 2025 move to the Arlington Renegades extended a path that began as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and has included stops in Atlanta, Green Bay, Washington, Calgary, Cleveland, and Houston. Today, he is regarded as one of the more accomplished defensive ends of the spring-football era.
Early Life and Background
Chris Odom was born in Arlington, Texas, and raised in the same city. He attended Martin High School in Arlington, where he played defensive end and was also a member of the school’s track and field program. The combination of football and track helped him develop the speed and explosion that later became trademarks of his game.
As a senior at Martin, Odom posted 32 tackles and earned all-district recognition as a defensive end, the foundation that would eventually lead to college opportunities. His father, Cliff Odom, also had a football career, having played in the NFL after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft. That family connection gave Odom an early understanding of the demands required to play at the highest level.
Path to American Football
Odom’s progression from high school prospect to professional football player took shape at Arkansas State University, where he suited up for the Arkansas State Red Wolves from 2013 to 2016. He became a steady contributor throughout his college career, appearing in all 13 games as a freshman in 2013, and continuing to produce across the defensive line over the next three seasons. By his senior year in 2016, Odom had emerged as one of the top pass rushers in the Sun Belt Conference, totaling 28 solo tackles, 25 tackle assists, 12.5 sacks, two pass breakups, four forced fumbles, and one blocked kick, earning First-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors.
His college résumé was further strengthened by his work on special teams, where his three blocked kicks in 2015 tied for the third most in Arkansas State single-season history. By the end of his career, Odom’s five career blocked kicks ranked second in school history. He also majored in Sport Management and participated in the College Gridiron Showcase in January 2017, an all-star event that helped him gain visibility ahead of the NFL draft. Although he went undrafted, Odom’s college production, length, and motor made him a strong candidate for a professional opportunity.
Chris Odom Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
After going undrafted in the 2017 NFL draft, Odom signed with the Atlanta Falcons on May 1, 2017. His time in Atlanta was brief, as he was waived on September 2, 2017, but the move put him on the path to a quick rebound. The very next day, on September 3, 2017, the Green Bay Packers claimed Odom off waivers, giving him a chance to develop within a contender’s system. Odom spent the 2017 season on the Packers’ roster, learning from one of the league’s most respected defensive staffs.
On September 1, 2018, Odom was waived by the Packers, ending his first NFL chapter. Despite the early turbulence, his 2017-2018 stretch had given him a foundation of NFL practice habits and scheme familiarity, and he remained ready for the next opportunity whenever it arrived.
AAF and Washington Redskins Era (2019)
In late 2018, Odom joined the Salt Lake Stallions of the Alliance of American Football, recording 7 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8 quarterback hits, and 2 pass knockdowns before the AAF ceased operations. He then signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons on April 15, 2019, only to be waived on August 31, 2019. Days later, on September 2, 2019, Odom signed with the Washington Redskins’ practice squad.
Odom was promoted to Washington’s active roster on November 30, 2019, and made an immediate impact. In Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers, he sacked quarterback Kyle Allen twice, including a late fourth-quarter strip sack recovered by teammate Nate Orchard that sealed a 29-21 win. He finished the 2019 season with 10 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble in only 47 defensive snaps, but was released on February 14, 2020.
Calgary Stampeders (2021)
In search of a new league and a fresh start, Odom signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League on February 2, 2021. He made the practice roster and dressed for three games during the CFL season, but was ultimately released on November 29, 2021. Although his time in Calgary was short, the experience of playing in a different league and against different offensive systems broadened his professional foundation.
Houston Gamblers and USFL Breakout (2022)
Odom was drafted by the Houston Gamblers of the USFL in the second round, 12th overall, of the 2022 USFL draft. While the Gamblers did not qualify for the playoffs, Odom enjoyed the most statistically productive season of his career. He led the league with 12.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles and was named the USFL Defensive Player of the Year, a recognition that revived his professional profile.
His 2022 production was matched by special-teams impact. Following a three-sack performance against Tampa Bay, Odom was named USFL Defensive Player of the Week, and after blocking two field goals in a single game, he was named Special Teams Player of the Week for Week 10. In total, he blocked a league-best four field goals during the 2022 season, making him one of the most disruptive defenders in the spring-football landscape.
Cleveland Browns and Return to Houston (2022-2024)
On August 5, 2022, Odom signed with the Cleveland Browns of the NFL, but a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in camp landed him on injured reserve on August 29, 2022. He spent the rest of the year rehabbing, and on December 26, 2023, he re-signed with the Houston Gamblers. When the Gamblers later took on the identity of their XFL counterpart, Odom and all Gamblers players and coaches were transferred to the Houston Roughnecks.
In 2024, Odom was named to the 2024 All-UFL Team on June 5, capping a strong first season in the merged UFL. He continued to produce as a pass rusher, combining his experience with the energy of a young Houston defense.
Arlington Renegades (2025-Present)
On February 24, 2025, Odom signed with the Arlington Renegades of the UFL, bringing his career back to his hometown market. In his first season with the Renegades, Odom recorded another 5 sacks, scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery, and led the league in tackles for a loss with 12. The numbers reinforced his reputation as one of the most consistent pass rushers in the UFL.
Joining the Renegades also gave Odom the rare opportunity to play in front of a hometown Dallas-Fort Worth audience, completing a long professional journey that started in Arlington, Texas. His 2025 role has been that of a veteran leader anchoring the defensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
Odom’s 2022 USFL Defensive Player of the Year award stands as the most celebrated individual honor of his career, paired with All-USFL, All-UFL, and First-team All-Sun Belt recognition. He also blocked a league-best four field goals in 2022, added five career blocked kicks at Arkansas State, and authored one of the most memorable late-game defensive plays of the 2019 NFL season with his strip sack against the Carolina Panthers.
Chris Odom Career Wins
Chris Odom has built a long and well-traveled résumé that includes stops with the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins, Salt Lake Stallions, Calgary Stampeders, Houston Gamblers, Cleveland Browns, Houston Roughnecks, and Arlington Renegades. While regular-season win totals vary by league, his legacy rests on individual production and team-defining plays.
Houston Roughnecks and Gamblers Highlights
With the Houston Gamblers, Odom led the USFL with 12.5 sacks and 6 forced fumbles in 2022 and was named USFL Defensive Player of the Year. In 2024, after the merger into the UFL, he was named to the 2024 All-UFL Team on June 5, 2024, recognizing another strong season with the Houston Roughnecks.
Other Wins and Performances
During his brief AAF tenure with the Salt Lake Stallions, Odom produced 2.5 sacks and 8 quarterback hits, and in 2019 with the Washington Redskins he finished with 10 tackles, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble in only 47 defensive snaps, including a fourth-quarter strip sack that sealed a win over the Carolina Panthers.
Chris Odom Family
Family Background and Football Lineage
Odom’s father, Cliff Odom, also played in the NFL after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 1980 NFL draft. That direct family connection to professional football gave Chris an early appreciation for the discipline and commitment the sport demands.
Personal Life
Chris Odom is based in the United States and has continued his professional football career from the Dallas-Fort Worth area after joining the Arlington Renegades in 2025. His journey from Martin High School in Arlington to the UFL has been a point of pride for his family.
2025 Season Performance
Odom’s 2025 season with the Arlington Renegades has been a return to form. He recorded 5 sacks, scored a touchdown on a fumble recovery, and led the UFL in tackles for a loss with 12, reinforcing his identity as a disruptor at the line of scrimmage. As a veteran presence on a developing Renegades defense, his production has been central to the team’s overall identity.
His performance earned him recognition within the UFL and underlined his value as both a pass rusher and a special teams contributor. The homecoming in Arlington added an extra layer of motivation, and his on-field results suggested his best football may still be ahead.
Looking ahead, Odom is positioned as a defensive cornerstone for the Renegades heading into the next UFL season. With his track record of league-leading production, the expectation is that he will continue to anchor the pass rush while mentoring younger defensive linemen. If health holds, the 2025 performance should be a strong foundation for an even bigger 2025 season to come.