Kristofer O'Dowd
Encyclopedia
Kristofer O'Dowd is an American football
center who is currently a free agent
. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals
as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football for the University of Southern California
and was a free agent signing.
alongside fellow USC recruits Marc Tyler
, Chris Galippo
, and Everson Griffen
. He recorded 90 pancake blocks in 2006. As a junior in 2005, he made the All-State first team. He also attended Salpointe Catholic Highschool in Tucson, Arizona.
The 6-foot-5, 300-pound O'Dowd is the first true freshman in USC history to start a game at center for the Trojans. According to USC officials, the last true freshman to start an opener on the offensive line was guard Travis Claridge
against Penn State in 1996. Guard Brad Budde
was the only other true freshman offensive lineman to start a post-World War II opener. Budde played against Missouri in 1976. His sophomore year he was named to the 2008 First Team All-Pac 10.
He suffered a kneecap injury before the 2009 season, and had to sit out the opener against San Jose State; his spot was filled in by veteran tackle Jeff Byers
.
. He was picked up as a free agent by the Arizona Cardinals
. He was released on September 2, 2011. He was cut in final cuts
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
center who is currently a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football for the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
and was a free agent signing.
High school career
O'Dowd's 2006 honors included Parade All-American, EA Sports All-American first team, Super Prep All-American, Prep Star All-American, USA Today All-USA second team, Super Prep Elite 50, Prep Star 100, Rivals.com 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-West, Scout.com All-West, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15 first team, Tacoma News-Tribune Western 100 and All-State as a senior offensive lineman at Salpointe Catholic High in Tucson (Ariz.). He was also invited to play in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American BowlU.S. Army All-American Bowl
The U.S. Army All-American Bowl is a high school football all-star game held in early January in San Antonio, Texas. Currently played in the Alamodome, the game brings 90 of the nation's top high school football players in an East versus West matchup. In addition to the Bowl game, there is the U.S...
alongside fellow USC recruits Marc Tyler
Marc Tyler
Marc Tyler is an American football running back for the University of Southern California Trojans football team.-High school career:...
, Chris Galippo
Chris Galippo
Chris Galippo is an American football linebacker for the University of Southern California. Galippo became the first defensive player to ever win the Pete Dawkins Trophy for being selected as the U.S. Army All-American Bowl's most valuable player.Galippo has been compared to NFL linebackers Brian...
, and Everson Griffen
Everson Griffen
-Minnesota Vikings:Griffen was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the 100th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.On January 28, 2011, Griffen was arrested in Los Angeles for public intoxication. Three days later, he was arrested again after he was found driving with an invalid drivers license...
. He recorded 90 pancake blocks in 2006. As a junior in 2005, he made the All-State first team. He also attended Salpointe Catholic Highschool in Tucson, Arizona.
College career
Travis Claridge
Travis Claridge was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he played for the Atlanta Falcons between 2000 and 2003 and for the Carolina Panthers in 2004....
against Penn State in 1996. Guard Brad Budde
Brad Budde
Brad Edward Budde is a former American football offensive guard in the National Football League .-College career:...
was the only other true freshman offensive lineman to start a post-World War II opener. Budde played against Missouri in 1976. His sophomore year he was named to the 2008 First Team All-Pac 10.
He suffered a kneecap injury before the 2009 season, and had to sit out the opener against San Jose State; his spot was filled in by veteran tackle Jeff Byers
Jeff Byers
After going undrafted in the 2010 NFL Draft, Byers signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks.-External links:*...
.
Professional career
Despite being considered the 3rd best Center prospect in the NFL draft, O'Dowd was not selected in the 2011 NFL Draft2011 NFL Draft
The 2011 NFL Draft was the 76th installment of the annual NFL Draft, where the franchises of the National Football League select newly eligible football players...
. He was picked up as a free agent by the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was released on September 2, 2011. He was cut in final cuts