Elijah Oden

Recruiting Snapshot

Local recognition: 2026 Alabama returning player, postseason honoree, or ranked prospect

The 6-foot-4, 210-pound linebacker and nickelback with an 80-inch wingspan committed to Troy over the summer. “Elijah is a physical three-down linebacker who impacts the game in multiple ways,” Bulldogs coach Jonathan Chandler said. “He’s an aggressive downhill defender who can rush the passer, make plays in space and consistently brings a physical presence to our defense. Elijah leads by example through his work ethic and the way he competes every day. My expectations for him this season are to continue playing fast and physical while making game-changing plays in our biggest matchups. He’s the type of player you can count on to set the tone for our defense.”