Nebraska freshman named to the Shaun Alexander Award preseason list

Nebraska freshman cornerback Danny Odem III joined the growing list of Huskers to be named to a preseason award list on Wednesday. Odem was featured on the preseason list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award.  

First presented in 2018, the award goes to the College Freshman Player of the Year and honors Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and the 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. Now, Odem is among 37 players to be named to the preseason list and one of 12 defensive players.

The Farrell, Pennsylvania, native is the sixth Husker to join a preseason award list and the third Blackshirt. Odem joins Donovan Jones and Owen Chambliss as fellow defensive players to be named. Anthony Colandrea, Jacory Barney and Justin Evans were also named to preseason award lists.

Odem joined the Nebraska roster as a five-star prospect, according to 247Sports and the No. 19 player in the class of 2026. He concluded his high school career at The First Academy in Orlando, where he delivered a three-interception game against defending 7A state champion Venice High School and was selected to play in the Navy All-American Bowl. 

Now, Odem, if he sees action this season, will help first-year defensive coordinator Rob Aurich look to reshape the Blackshirts. Last year, Aurich guided San Diego State as defensive coordinator and built up one of the nation's top defenses.

The Aztecs led the country with three shutouts and held eight opponents to 10 or fewer points. San Diego State, in the regular season, allowed only 266.7 yards and 12.6 points per game, ranking fifth nationally in scoring defense and seventh in total defense.

A total of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Nov. 3. The winner will be announced on Dec. 28.  

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: Nebraska freshman named to the Shaun Alexander Award preseason list