University of Tennessee Athletics
Ty Redmond, Braylon Staley Tabbed Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Semifinalists
November 05, 2025 | Football
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Tennessee wide receiver Braylon Staley and cornerback Ty Redmond have been selected as semifinalists for the seventh annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, presented to the most outstanding freshman player in college football by the Maxwell Football Club.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018. The Maxwell Football Club unveiled 14 semifinalists Wednesday, and Tennessee is the only program with multiple players on the list. Two of the SEC's three semifinalists are Vols.
Staley, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is tied for the SEC lead with 52 receptions this year. He's racked up 703 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the SEC in receiving yards and fifth in receiving scores. All of those marks lead all SEC freshmen. Nationally, Staley leads all freshmen in receptions, and he is tied for 13th overall. He's also tops among all FBS freshmen in receiving yards, and he leads Power Four freshmen in receiving touchdowns.
Staley, who was recently added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, owns two 100-yard receiving games, and he's combined for 27 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns in his last four games combined. The redshirt freshman is coming off a career-best two-touchdown game against No. 11 Oklahoma, including a spectacular 54-yarder. According to Pro Football Focus, 330 of Staley's 703 yards have come after the catch.
Redmond was thrust into action immediately with the injuries to veteran cornerbacks Rickey Gibson III and All-American Jermod McCoy. Redmond has started eight games and leads all SEC freshmen in pass breakups with six. The Alpharetta, Georgia, native is tied for sixth overall in the SEC in that category. Redmond also has one interception to his credit. He is coming off one of his best games in a 66-snap start against the Sooners, as he finished with four tackles, one PBU and did not allow a score.
Finalists for the 2025 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 3, and the winner will be unveiled on Dec. 30. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2025 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalists
Dijon Lee Jr., Alabama, Cornerback
Bear Bachmeier, BYU, Quarterback
Micah Alejado, Hawaii, Quarterback
Zahir Mathis, Maryland, Edge
Malachi Toney, Miami, Wide Receiver
CJ Carr, Notre Dame, Quarterback
Drew Mestemaker, North Texas, Quarterback
Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback
Wendell Gregory, Oklahoma State, Edge
Brandon Finney, Oregon, Cornerback
Mason Heintschel, Pitt, Quarterback
Demetres Samuel Jr., Syracuse, Quarterback
Ty Redmond, Tennessee, Cornerback
Braylon Staley, Tennessee, Wide Receiver
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018. The Maxwell Football Club unveiled 14 semifinalists Wednesday, and Tennessee is the only program with multiple players on the list. Two of the SEC's three semifinalists are Vols.
Staley, a native of Aiken, South Carolina, is tied for the SEC lead with 52 receptions this year. He's racked up 703 receiving yards and five touchdowns. He ranks fourth in the SEC in receiving yards and fifth in receiving scores. All of those marks lead all SEC freshmen. Nationally, Staley leads all freshmen in receptions, and he is tied for 13th overall. He's also tops among all FBS freshmen in receiving yards, and he leads Power Four freshmen in receiving touchdowns.
Staley, who was recently added to the Biletnikoff Award watch list, owns two 100-yard receiving games, and he's combined for 27 catches for 381 yards and three touchdowns in his last four games combined. The redshirt freshman is coming off a career-best two-touchdown game against No. 11 Oklahoma, including a spectacular 54-yarder. According to Pro Football Focus, 330 of Staley's 703 yards have come after the catch.
Redmond was thrust into action immediately with the injuries to veteran cornerbacks Rickey Gibson III and All-American Jermod McCoy. Redmond has started eight games and leads all SEC freshmen in pass breakups with six. The Alpharetta, Georgia, native is tied for sixth overall in the SEC in that category. Redmond also has one interception to his credit. He is coming off one of his best games in a 66-snap start against the Sooners, as he finished with four tackles, one PBU and did not allow a score.
Finalists for the 2025 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award will be announced on Dec. 3, and the winner will be unveiled on Dec. 30. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
2025 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalists
Dijon Lee Jr., Alabama, Cornerback
Bear Bachmeier, BYU, Quarterback
Micah Alejado, Hawaii, Quarterback
Zahir Mathis, Maryland, Edge
Malachi Toney, Miami, Wide Receiver
CJ Carr, Notre Dame, Quarterback
Drew Mestemaker, North Texas, Quarterback
Julian Sayin, Ohio State, Quarterback
Wendell Gregory, Oklahoma State, Edge
Brandon Finney, Oregon, Cornerback
Mason Heintschel, Pitt, Quarterback
Demetres Samuel Jr., Syracuse, Quarterback
Ty Redmond, Tennessee, Cornerback
Braylon Staley, Tennessee, Wide Receiver
Players Mentioned
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