Indiana freshman defensive back Byron Baldwin Jr. has been selected to the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watch List. The award honors the nation's top freshman college football player.
Since entering the program, all eyes have been on Baldwin. He has made waves in practices and workouts this offseason, putting himself in contention for a starting spot this fall.
According to the Week 1 depth chart, he will will back up and or split playing time with Indiana sixth-year senior safety Louis Moore.
Moore, is currently suing the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility but will be eligible to play in Indiana's first two games this season, but his availability is to be determined after week two's matchup against Kennesaw State according to The Herald-Times reporter Mike Niziolek.
Baldwin attended Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore (MD) and was the No. 188 overall prospect and No. 17 safety in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking for the class of 2025.
In two years as the starting free safety at Saint Frances he had 168 tackles, 7 pass breakups, 4 interceptions, and 2 forced fumbles.
Indiana junior defensive back Amare Ferrell said the 6-foot-2, 194-pound Baldwin is "ready to play right now."
Baldwin Jr and the Hoosiers begin the 2025 season at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 30 on Merchants Bank Field inside Memorial Stadium.
Byron Baldwin Jr., a freshman to watch. pic.twitter.com/pfmz8PEJws
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) August 26, 2025
ABOUT THE SHAUN ALEXANDER FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
The Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award is an honor given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named after Shaun Alexander since 2018, this award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by these players on their respective teams throughout the season. The Alexander Award is all about championing future legends and evaluates players based on Talent, Character, Ambassador, and Legend.
The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and the 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. Past winners include Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) – 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)-2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) – 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) – 2021, Drake Maye (North Carolina) 2022, Caleb Downs (Alabama) – 2023, and Colin Simmons (Texas) – 2024.