FAIRHOPE, Alabama — Fairhope receiver Devin Odom officially accepted an offer to play football for the Belhaven University Blazers in Jackson, Miss., during a signing ceremony with family, friends and teammates at FHS Wednesday.

Odom, who played running back and receiver his senior year, said the Blazers need him to step into the slot receiver spot in their pro-spread formation as early as possible and he’s looking forward to playing.

“They had a lot of receivers graduate so they told me they would need me to be ready to play as a freshman and that’s what I want. Plus I really liked it up there, the campus, the coaches, the style of offense they run—I think I’ll fit right in. I’m looking forward to contributing any kind of way they need me. They said that might include me possibly doing some kick-off return work.”

Fairhope head football coach Adam Winegarden said Odom was a permanent team captain because of his character and leadership on and off the field as well as his athletic ability.

“Devin is one of the kids you spot right away as one who can play, then you get to know and realize what an outstanding young man he is. And he is just one of the great guys to be around on our team. Just look at that smile. Whether in the classroom or on the field, he carries a high level of integrity with him, too, and it rubs off on others. He cares about others and leads by example, always giving all he has for the good of the team. You can see by all the people here who care about him and love him.

“But whenever somebody goes to the next level it’s always a celebration of two things, a young person’s achievements and accomplishments as an athlete and as a student in the classroom. Because if it doesn’t happen in the classroom, we don’t get to celebrate this. The achievement is also because of all the teachers as well as coaches who help our athletes get to this point like this. He has been a good representative of Fairhope, his community, his family and I’m just said I only got to spend the one season with him. But Belhaven is getting a great one.”

Belhaven plays in the Mid-South Conference. The Blazers finished the 2012 season with a record of 6-5 and are looking to improve with the addition of recruits like Odom.

Odom will join other local 2013 graduates, all defenders, Kelan James and Jalen Knox of St. Luke’s Episcopal and Marcus McCants of Murphy High School this summer to play for BU head football coach Joseph Thrasher.

“I am excited about this group of young men that are now part of the Blazer family,” said Thrasher. “It is exciting to see who God leads to our program and our University. We have signed some impact players who I look forward to seeing on the field in 2013.”

Odom is the son of Alicia Odom and Shawn Wasp and the grandson of Elizabeth Odom, all of whom he thanked for the sacrifices they made for him.

“I have to thank to my mom and dad and my grandma and God for helping me and teaching me to be a person they can be proud of and to work hard for what’s really important and to always do what’s right. And also coach Winegarden and coach (David) Faulkner and all my coaches and also all my great teammates and friends and family for helping make this day possible.”

He plans to major in exercise science.