George Odum Bio
George Odum is an American professional football safety and special teamer for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). Born and raised in Millington, Tennessee, Odum played college football at the University of Central Arkansas before signing with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2018. Across his NFL career, he has developed a reputation as one of the league’s most reliable special teams players, earning First-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and Second-team All-Pro honors in 2022.
Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed at 202 pounds, Odum has built his professional resume on tough tackling, smart positioning, and consistency in the kicking game. After spending the 2022 through 2024 seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, he returned to the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
Early Life and Background
George Odum was born on November 3, 1993, in Millington, Tennessee. He grew up in the same community where he would later become a celebrated high school athlete, attending Millington Central High School. At Millington Central, Odum distinguished himself as a multi-sport standout, competing in both football and track and field.
As a senior, Odum earned All-Region recognition as a defensive back and punt returner. His performance in high school drew the attention of regional all-star game organizers, and he participated in the 2012 Tennessee versus Kentucky National Guard Border Bowl and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl All-Star Game. Those experiences helped set the stage for his college recruitment to Central Arkansas.
Path to American Football
Odum committed to the University of Central Arkansas, where he played for the Central Arkansas Bears from 2013 through 2017. He redshirted his true freshman season, preserving a year of eligibility while he developed his body and his understanding of the defensive scheme. Over the next five seasons, he transitioned between linebacker and safety, demonstrating the kind of versatility that would later help him carve out an NFL role.
He finished fourth in school history with 350 career tackles, a number that reflects both his durability and his impact on the field. Odum was named first-team All-Southland Conference in both 2016 and 2017. After his senior campaign in 2017, in which he recorded 120 total tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and a forced fumble, he was recognized as the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year and earned consensus FCS All-American honors. Despite that résumé, Odum went unselected in the 2018 NFL Draft, opening the door for him to sign with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.
George Odum Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Odum signed with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2018, and earned a roster spot out of training camp. He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2018, against the Cincinnati Bengals, working primarily on special teams. Odum earned his first career start on November 18, 2018, after an injury to safety Malik Hooker, and he recorded six tackles, including one for a loss, in a 38-10 win over the Tennessee Titans. Later that season, he picked off a pass from Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott on December 16, 2018, notching his first career interception in a 23-0 Colts victory.
In 2019, Odum appeared in all 16 games and registered 37 tackles along with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. His role as a core special teamer continued to grow, and by 2020, although he saw only 25 defensive snaps, he led the entire NFL with 20 special teams tackles. That performance earned him First-team All-Pro recognition as a special teamer and made him one of the league’s most respected coverage players.
Indianapolis Colts (First Stint, 2018-2021)
Across his first four professional seasons, Odum proved himself as a reliable piece of the Indianapolis Colts’ roster. In 2021, increased opportunities arrived when injuries hit the team’s secondary. He started seven games and played roughly 43 percent of the Colts’ defensive snaps, finishing the season with 55 total tackles, two passes defended, one interception, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Following the 2021 season, Odum became an unrestricted free agent and departed Indianapolis.
San Francisco 49ers (2022-2024)
On March 22, 2022, Odum signed a three-year contract with the San Francisco 49ers, joining one of the NFC’s most consistent contenders. His production on special teams remained strong, and after his first season in the Bay Area, he was named Second-team All-Pro for the second time in his career. Odum was placed on injured reserve on November 27, 2023, before being activated on January 20, 2024. On March 13, 2024, he signed a two-year contract extension that was set to keep him in San Francisco through the 2026 season.
His 2024 season, however, was interrupted on December 7 when he was again placed on injured reserve. After the season, it was revealed that Odum had undergone offseason elbow surgery, and on July 19, 2025, he was released by the 49ers.
Indianapolis Colts (Second Stint, 2025-Present)
On November 18, 2025, Odum signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad, returning to the franchise that gave him his first professional opportunity. One week later, on November 25, he was elevated to the 53-man roster. His return gave the Colts another experienced special teams contributor heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Odum’s professional reputation rests on his special teams excellence. He combines sharp diagnostic skills with disciplined lane integrity on kick and punt coverage, and he consistently finishes tackles in open space. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 202 pounds, he has the size to handle bigger blockers at the point of attack while remaining agile enough to evade wedges and pursue downfield. His football intelligence, developed across five college seasons and multiple NFL schemes, has allowed him to thrive in coverage roles without a heavy defensive workload.
Notable Events and Milestones
Some of the defining moments of Odum’s career include his first NFL start against the Tennessee Titans in 2018, his first career interception off Dak Prescott later that same season, leading the entire NFL in special teams tackles in 2020, and earning Second-team All-Pro honors after his first year with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. Reaching 204 career total tackles through the 2025 season also stands as a marker of his longevity in the league.
George Odum Career Wins
Although football does not track wins in the singular sense that individual sports do, George Odum has built a résumé defined by team success, personal accolades, and statistical milestones across multiple franchises.
NFL Highlights
Odum has appeared in regular-season games for both the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers, accumulating 204 total tackles, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 9 pass deflections, and 3 interceptions through the 2025 season. His standout individual campaigns came in 2020, when he led the NFL with 20 special teams tackles, and in 2022, when he earned Second-team All-Pro honors with San Francisco.
Other Wins and Performances
Before reaching the NFL, Odum was a two-time first-team All-Southland Conference selection at Central Arkansas in 2016 and 2017, the 2017 Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and a consensus FCS All-American that same year. His 350 career tackles rank fourth in Central Arkansas program history, a mark that highlights his sustained excellence at the collegiate level.
| Stat Category | Total |
|---|---|
| Career NFL tackles | 204 |
| Forced fumbles | 4 |
| Fumble recoveries | 2 |
| Pass deflections | 9 |
| Interceptions | 3 |
| First-team All-Pro | 2020 |
| Second-team All-Pro | 2022 |
George Odum Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about George Odum’s immediate family remain limited. He grew up in Millington, Tennessee, and has credited that community with shaping his work ethic and athletic foundation.
Personal Life
George Odum has kept much of his personal life out of the public eye. Verified information about a spouse or children has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 NFL season began with uncertainty for George Odum after he underwent offseason elbow surgery and was released by the San Francisco 49ers on July 19, 2025. Once healthy, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad on November 18, 2025, and was promoted to the 53-man roster one week later on November 25.
His return to Indianapolis gave the Colts an experienced core special teamer familiar with the franchise’s schemes and culture. As the regular season moved toward its final weeks, Odum’s primary role centered on kick and punt coverage, with the potential for spot defensive duty if injuries required.
Looking ahead, Odum’s value to the Colts remains rooted in special teams reliability and veteran leadership. His career totals, including 204 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 9 pass deflections, illustrate a player who continues to produce when given the opportunity, and his 2025 homecoming offers a fitting chapter for a player whose professional story began in Indianapolis.