Breaking News: No. 1 Catcher Calep Odom Shocks Ole Miss With Decommitment, Flips to Florida Gators Over LSU, Tennessee, and Others
In a stunning development that’s sending shockwaves through the college baseball recruiting world, Calep Odom — the No. 1 rated catcher in the nation — has officially decommitted from Ole Miss and flipped his commitment to the Florida Gators. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound standout from Alabama had long been considered the cornerstone of Ole Miss’ future behind the plate, but as of today, the top-rated backstop has opted to take his talents to Gainesville.
Odom’s decision comes just months after he reaffirmed his commitment to the Rebels during the early signing period. However, sources close to the situation indicate that a combination of coaching changes, program direction, and Florida’s aggressive recruiting push played a major role in Odom’s change of heart. The Gators beat out powerhouse programs LSU and Tennessee, both of which made strong late pushes to land the elite catcher.
“After a lot of prayer, talks with my family, and weighing all my options, I’ve decided to decommit from Ole Miss and commit to the University of Florida,” Odom wrote in a statement released via social media. “This was not an easy decision, and I want to thank the Ole Miss coaching staff and fans for their support. But I believe Florida is the best fit for my development on and off the field.”
A product of Birmingham, Alabama, Odom is widely regarded as a future MLB talent with an exceptional arm, elite pitch-framing ability, and strong leadership behind the dish. His athleticism, quick release, and ability to control the running game have scouts and college coaches alike buzzing.
Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan called Odom “a game-changer” for the program, noting, “Any time you add a player of Calep’s caliber, it raises the bar for everyone. He’s a leader, a student of the game, and a guy who can impact both the defensive and offensive side of the ball.”
For Ole Miss, this is a tough loss. The Rebels were building their 2025 class around Odom and had touted his commitment as a major recruiting win. Now, they’ll be scrambling to fill a significant hole behind the plate.
Meanwhile, Gators fans are celebrating what many are calling one of the biggest recruiting flips of the year. With Odom now on board, Florida’s recruiting class gets a significant boost — and potentially, a future star behind the plate.
