Wisconsin Football Countdown: No. 38, Nate Odomes
By Jim Oxley
As the countdown to the first Wisconsin football game of the season continues, Badger of Honor is taking a look at Badgers by the numbers, checking in on a different Badger or Badgers players who wore the number corresponding with the remaining days until the Badgers head to Texas to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide Saturday, Sept. 5.
Next up in our countdown, signifying 38 days until college football is back, is cornerback Nate Odomes.
At UW from 1984 to 1986, Odomes was a big presence from his cornerback position, and excelled on special teams in the return game.
Wisconsin Badgers
Odomes blocked two kicks in the same game against Indiana in 1985, and picked off three passes in a game against Hawaii in 1986.
In 1986 he had a seven-interception season (tied for third best in school history for a single season), and his nine career interceptions tie him for eighth all time at UW.
Odomes was also a capable returner, and is ninth all-time in UW history with a 10.0 yard per return average on punts. His single-season total of 616 kickoff return yards in 1986 is tied for eighth-best in school History with Anthony Davis‘ 2005 season.
He was a first team All-Big Ten selection in 1986, and turned his collegiate success into a second round draft pick (29th overall) in the 1987 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills.
He went on to have a successful 9-year NFL career.
Odomes was a part of Buffalo’s four straight Super Bowl appearances, and started all four games in Buffalo’s losing efforts from 1991-1994. He was a Pro Bowler in 1992 and 1993, and finished out his career in Seattle from 1994-1995 and Atlanta in 1996.
He finished his NFL career with 383 tackles, 26 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown) and 9 forced fumbles (two returned for scores).
Who wore No. 38 first?
• Fullback John Linden was the first Badgers player to wear No. 38 in 1927.
Who wears No. 38 now?
• A pair of redshirt freshmen currently wear No. 38 for the Badgers — punter P.J. Rosowski from Stoughton, Wisconsin and defensive end Zander Neuville from Waupaca, Wisconsin.
Who wore No. 38 last?
• Tight end Eric Steffes last wore No. 38 in the 2013 season. The redshirt junior has since switched numbers to 44.
Stay tuned to Badger of Honor as we continue our daily countdown in preparation of the season opener against Alabama.
Next: Wisconsin Football Experience