2024 NewsTribune Defensive Football Player of the Year: Princeton’s Cade Odell

It’s hard for Princeton senior Cade Odell to decide if he prefers playing offense or defense, but considering he’s continuing his career as a defender, he leans toward that side of the ball.

“I would say defense there’s not as many rules,” Odell said. “It’s kind just go after it, be an athlete and just do your thing while offense is a lot more rules set in and that’s a little bit tough sometimes.”

Odell shined on both sides of the ball as he helped the Tigers to a 10-2 record and a fifth straight Class 3A quarterfinal appearance.

Defensively, he combined his athleticism with fine-tuned technique to be an impactful player on the defensive line.

He made 74 tackles, which tied for third on the team, and recorded seven tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for a defense that allowed an area-best 14.5 points per game, recorded two shutouts and held seven opponents to 14 points or less.

Odell was unanimously selected to the All-Three Rivers Conference Mississippi Division team on both sides of the ball and was voted to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 3A All-State team.

For all he accomplished this season, Odell is the 2024 NewsTribune Defensive Football Player of the Year. He is the fourth Princeton player in a row to earn the honor.

“He was flat out the anchor of our offensive and defensive lines,” Princeton coach Ryan Pearson said. “One of the things that really separates him is the fact that he’s so technical in everything he does. You teach him a technique and he’s one of those kids who truly takes it to heart and puts a lot of time and effort into honing those skills.

“He’s very technical and that’s what separates good players from great players. Everybody’s got some talent, but what you do with that talent is really what separates individuals and that really separated Cade.”

Odell credited assistant coach Kirk Becker for helping him improve his technique this season.

“We had a new D-line coach come in this year, which was very helpful for me,” Odell said. “He just really helped me work and understand the defense better so I could make my mark and help the team, and it ended up boosting my individual stats.

“He worked really hard on my hands, like hand strike and being able to read offensive linemen, which helped me be able to get off blocks better, so it was really helpful.”

Odell said “a low center of gravity, exploding out of my stance and holding the line of scrimmage” are his main strengths as a lineman.

And he does it all consistently.

“He was just so consistent throughout the season and his four years here,” Pearson said. “When Cade came in, you 100% knew exactly what you were going to get, and I think that’s a great quality. He was very consistent and very productive all the way through.”

While Odell’s play on the field played a big part in Princeton’s success, Pearson said his intangibles were instrumenal as well.

“He’s a kid who’s not only a heck of a football player, but he’s a three-sport athlete and he’s very active in other programs at the high school,” Pearson said. “He’s a very high-character kid. He’s always doing things the right way. When you add all those things up, it really speaks volumes of who Cade is as a person.

“Absolutely (it helps the team) when you have somebody who is a great example for the rest of the kids in our program.”

Next year, Odell will play at Dordt University, an NAIA school in Sioux Center, Iowa.

“They recruited me to be a nose guard,” Odell said. “I’m hoping to be able to make waves while I’m there. Maybe not play (right away), but definitely develop and work on my speed, quickness and strength hopefully get in the rotation.”

Pearson said the sky is the limit for Odell at the next level.

“I think Cade has a very high ceiling,” Pearson said. “If he wasn’t 5-foot-10 he’d probably be going to some very big Division I school because of his talent, his coachability and his work ethic. I truly think that Dorth University got a gem in Cade and I think he’s going to take all the same attributes that he used with us here in Princeton to help make us successful at Dort University and I think he’s going to do really well.”