Nebraska Defensive Back Danny Odem Named to Freshman of the Year Preseason Watch List

The expectations surrounding Danny Odem just got a little higher.

The former five-star recruit was one of 37 players featured on the preseason watch list for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, which was announced Wednesday. Out of high school, Odem was regarded as the No. 19 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

This fall, he's expected to make an immediate impact.

Danny Odem on his official visit to Nebraska over the summer. — Danny Odem on his official visit to Nebraska in 2025. | @d8nnyblokk/Instagram

Odem played his first two seasons at Farrell High School in his home state of Pennsylvania, long before he was considered one of the nation's top cornerback prospects. After his sophomore year, he transferred to The First Academy in Orlando, Florida, where his stock continued to rise.

As a junior, Odem totaled 45 tackles, two interceptions, and three pass breakups, according to MaxPreps. He followed that with an impressive senior season, recording three interceptions in a single game against the defending Florida 7A state championship team. After the 2025 season, Odem was named to the all-district team and selected to play in the Navy All-American Bowl.

In total, Odem received 48 Division I offers before choosing Nebraska. The Huskers beat out several of the nation's top programs, including Ohio State, Georgia, and Miami, following his decommitment from North Carolina in December 2024.

Danny Odem III squares up for a tackle during a fall camp scrimmage on Aug. 15, 2026. — Danny Odem III squares up to make a tackle during fall camp. | Nebraska Athletics via X

Nebraska's smallish 2026 recruiting class finished the cycle ranked No. 62 nationally. Even so, the Huskers were one of only 20 programs to sign a five-star recruit. Among Big Ten schools, Nebraska joined Oregon (3), USC (3), Ohio State (2), Michigan (2), Maryland (1), and Washington (1) in accomplishing the feat.

The Big Red's class included just three blue-chip prospects: Odem, Claude Mpouma, and Dylan Berymon. All three have drawn praise since arriving in Lincoln, but Odem appears to be the only one currently vying for a starting role as early as Week 1.

After three seasons at FIU, Victor Evans III is now at Nebraska. | @v.evansiii/Instagram

However, securing the job won't be easy. Based on intel we've gathered throughout fall camp, the former five-star prospect is in a heated battle for the starting cornerback role opposite All-Big Ten honorable mention selection Andrew Marshall.

Florida International transfer Victor Evans III and senior defensive back Jeremiah Charles are also in the mix. Regardless of who wins the job, all three are likely to factor in. The Huskers are coming off a 2025 campaign in which they finished third nationally against the pass, and defensive backs coach Addison Williams has expressed confidence in all three players' abilities to help continue that success this fall.

For Odem, securing a starting role could make him a serious contender for the Freshman of the Year Award. He'll likely need to do so at some point this season to be considered a finalist later in the year.

@DannyOdem3 has officially been named to the 2026 Shaun Alexander Freshmen Player of the Year Watch List! 🏆🏈

📍School: @HuskerFootball
🏈 Position: CB
🎓 Class: True Freshman pic.twitter.com/Wb5ftPrf2b
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) August 26, 2026

Odem is one of 12 defensive players on the list, which includes both true freshmen and redshirt freshmen athletes from across the country. Fourteen semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 3, with the winner announced on Dec. 28.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award has been presented annually since 2018. Since then, three defenders have taken home the trophy. Odem will look to be the next.

All-Time Freshman of the Year Award Recipients

2025- Colin Simmons (Edge, Texas)
2024- Caleb Downs (Safety, Alabama)
2023- Drake Maye (Quarterback, North Carolina)
2022- Brock Bowers (Tight End, Georgia)
2021- Will Anderson (Edge, Alabama)
2020- Kenneth Gainwell (Running Back, Memphis)
2019- Trevor Lawrence (Quarterback, Clemson)

The 2026 Watch List

EJ Crowell, Alabama
Jireh Edwards, Alabama
Keelon Russell, Alabama
Tait Reynolds, Clemson
Julian Lewis, Colorado
Dallas Wilson, Florida
Ben Hanks, Florida
Talyn Taylor, Georgia
Keisean Henderson, Houston
Lamar Brown, LSU
Zion Elee, Maryland
Jackson Cantwell, Miami
Somourian Wingo, Miami
Savion Hiter, Michigan
Andrew Babalola, Michigan
Salesi Moa, Michigan
Bralan Womack, Mississippi State
Danny Odem, Nebraska
Will Black, Notre Dame
Chris Henry, Ohio State
Jay Timmons, Ohio State
Cincere Johnson, Ohio State
Caleb Cunningham, Ole Miss
Gatlin Bair, Oregon
Darius Gray, South Carolina
Faizon Brandon, Tennessee
Tyler Atkinson, Texas
Richard Wesley, Texas
Jermaine Bishop, Texas
Aaron Gregory, Texas A&M
Felix Ojo, Texas Tech
Luke Wafle, USC
Alex Graham, USC
Kelvin Obot, Utah
Jared Curtis, Vanderbilt
Kodi Greene, Washington
Amari Latimer, West Virginia

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