Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week: Michael Odeyemi
Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week
Michael Odeyemi earned all-league honors as a defensive end last season for Reading High.
One game into his senior season he was moved to defensive tackle. His learning curve at the new spot was practically non-existent as he made 11 stops and fronted the Red Knights’ dominant defensive effort in a 25-7 win over Muhlenberg.
“He plays with an intensity that I haven’t seen in a while,” said Red Knights coach Troy Godinet. “Every single rep in practice. Special teams. Weight room. In the games. Everything he does has intensity to it that’s really hard to match.”
The 6-2, 250-pound Odeyemi unleashed that intensity on the Muhls, recording a sack and eight quarterback hurries to earn Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week for the first time.
Odeyemi had four tackles for loss and was a key part of a defense that held the Muhls to minus-22 rushing yards and one early touchdown.
“He just works his tail off,” Godinet said. “He pursues the ball, he takes on double-teams, splits double teams, pressures the quarterback. If he has to take on a block for somebody else to make a tackle, he does it.”
Odeyemi didn’t play organized football until 10th grade. He’s made so much progress the past two years that he’s now getting college looks.
“It’s amazing, what this kid has done,” Godinet said, “the player he’s turned into is amazing. He just works.”
Godinet moved Odeyemi to tackle in order to get some other defensive end types on the field.
“He made the move for the betterment of the team, and it worked out,” Godinet said.
The Red Knights trailed 7-0 early in the second quarter before Xavier Beatty sparked them with a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. They took the lead for good on Gabriel Laws’ 1-yard run just before halftime.
Overall, they held Muhlenberg to 169 total yards and just 17 completions on 37 pass attempts. They forced three turnovers, including an interception by Beatty.
Odeyemi is the first Red Knights player selected this award this season; none were selected last season.
Players considered for Body Zone Physical Therapy Defensive Player of the Week honors are nominated by their coaches or by members of the MikeDragoSports.com coverage team.
Also nominated this week:
- Owen Reber, Berks Catholic
- Jorge Pingaaron, Daniel Boone
- Logan Wegman, Exeter
- Tristan McFarland, Fleetwood
- Dan Bonfadini, Gov. Mifflin
- Brendan Ackley, Kutztown
- Josiah Urbaez, Muhlenberg
- Lucas Myers, Twin Valley
- Ryan McMillan, Wilson
- Collin Niedrowski, Wyomissing
Selected earlier this season:
- Week 1: Lucas Myers, Twin Valley
Selected last season as Defensive Player of the Week:
- Week 1: Jonathan Martin, Exeter
- Week 2: Nate Capitano, Wilson
- Week 3: Ethan Kryman, Daniel Boone
- Week 4: Nate Pashley, Exeter
- Week 5: Nafis Blythe, Berks Catholic
- Week 6: Nick Weitzel, Wilson
- Week 7: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
- Week 8: Drew Eisenhower, Wyomissing
- Week 9: Mason Marks, Twin Valley
- Week 10: Lucas Palange, Exeter
- Week 11: Mason Semmel, Hamburg
- Week 12: Ryker Jones, Wyomissing
