Editor's note: In anticipation of the 121st college football season in Utah, DeseretNews.com writer Jay Yeomans is ranking the 50 greatest Division I college football players of all time from the state of Utah. We're counting down the 50 days until Sept. 1 when Southern Utah at Utah and Weber State at Utah State kick off at 6 p.m. Rankings are based on what the player did during his college career.
32. Phil Odle, BYU, wide receiver (1965-67)
Although he isn't at the top of the BYU leader board for receivers anymore, Odle is still one of the best receivers the Cougars have ever had.
He earned first-team All-WAC honors in each of his three seasons at BYU and finished in the top 10 in the nation twice each in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. His most productive season came as a senior in 1967 when he caught a WAC-record 77 passes for 971 yards and nine touchdowns to earn first-team All-American by Dell Sports.
He left BYU as the school's all-time leader in receptions (183), receiving yards (2,548) and touchdowns (25). His 25 touchdowns were a WAC record while his 183 catches were second most in NCAA history. He was inducted in the BYU hall of fame in 1978.
Jay Yeomans is a sports writer for DeseretNews.com. Contact him at jyeomans@deseretdigital.com.