Collin Oliver Tabbed a Semifinalist for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award

STILLWATER – Thursday was a big day for Oklahoma State edge rusher Collin Oliver as he picked up a few All-Big 12 honors, as well as being tabbed one of 14 semifinalists for the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year.

The award is given out by the Maxwell Football Club to the top freshman in all of college football.

He was also named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and was place on the All-Big 12 second team.

All of this comes after he was tabbed a Mid-Season Freshman All-American by The Athletic and ESPN, so it’s safe to say he’s going to be an end-of-the-season Freshman All-American as well.

We predicted here on Pokes Report back in the spring that Collin Oliver would have a solid freshman season, but I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted just how big of an impact he’d make. He’s currently sitting at 25 total tackles, 18 of which have been solo stops, as well as tied with Malcolm Rodriguez for a team-high 12.5 tackles for loss. Not to mention the 9.5 sacks, which currently leads the team and all Power Five freshmen.

He’s had two multi-sack games this season, one against Baylor (2) and one against Oklahoma (2). In fact, his two against Oklahoma came in the fourth quarter, including one with less than 10 seconds left to seal the 37-33 win, which earned him an All-Big 12 Newcomer of the Week honor.

Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalists

• Andrew Mukuba, S, Clemson
• Josaiah Stewart, DE, Coastal Carolina
• Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
• Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
• Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall
• Tyler Van Dyke, QB, Miami
• C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State
• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
• Denzel Burke, CB, Ohio State
• Caleb Williams, QB, Oklahoma
• Collin Oliver, DE, Oklahoma State
• Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
• Tyreek Chappell, CB, Texas A&M
• Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin