By Kyle Charters
Asst. Sports Editor

Although Joe Odom is just a sophomore, he still considers himself a veteran among the linebackers. That's because the rest of the Boiler linebacker corps includes two juniors, a sophomore and two redshirt freshmen.

"It's kind of neat because we don't have any seniors and we're all kind of young," said Odom. "So we're out there having a good time, and we know we're going to be together again next year."

That youth has pushed Odom into a leadership role, which is a position he is willing to accept.

"When the younger guys have questions we have to talk to them and be leaders," said the 6—foot—2, 231—pound Odom. "If there's any trouble — like there was a fight out here earlier — we have to learn to break it up. We've just got to be good role models and teach them the positive way of playing ball."

That's the role that seniors Mike Rose and Willie Fells had for the Boilers last season. But with those two departed, Odom is the second most experienced linebacker on this year's squad, behind junior Jason Loerzel. Last season Odom played in all 12 of Purdue's games and had 41 tackles and two sacks. He made three starts, including one in the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day.

Even with the solid statistics during his first year, Odom described it as an up—and—down season.

"It was just kind of a new experience for me being in this atmosphere and having all this pressure," said Odom. "A few games, I played real well, but a few games, I wasn't really in the right mindset. But coming into this year, having more experience and being around the system longer, I think I'll be able to pick up where I left off in the bowl game."

Odom will pick up next season as the Boilers' starting middle linebacker. He knows the position, which he called the "quarterback of the defense," requires plenty of leadership skills. Before each snap, he calls out the defensive play in the huddle. Then, after the snap, he assists in making minor defensive adjustments based on the offensive set. He said he likes the responsibility.

"But I'm still kind of edgy," said Odom, "I've got these big guys that I'm used to, but it's kind of odd that they're all focused on me and I've got to give them a pep talk before we go out to play. I think it's going to be fun; I'll enjoy it."

Odom also enjoys helping younger linebackers such as redshirt freshman Landon Johnson. Odom thinks his experience, although limited, can help the less experienced players.

"Everything's a lot more complicated than it was back in high school," said the 6—foot—2, 200—pound Johnson. "The linemen are a lot bigger and stronger and quicker. It's a lot harder to get around blocks than it used to be. I've pretty much got to learn to separate more and get around the blocks and get to the ball."

While Loerzel is still recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered in last season's win over Indiana in the regular season finale, Johnson has been getting a lot of playing time at outside linebacker. Sophomore Cornell Middlebrook is also getting increased time alongside Odom.

Defensive coordinator Brock Spack thinks the linebacker unit will have a good combination of size and speed.

"We just lack experience," said Spack. "There's only one way to get experience and that's to play. We have to understand that we're going to make some mistakes; we've just go t to play hard."