Kenenna Odeluga nominated for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award
DALLAS (FWAA) — Illinois’ Kenenna Odeluga is this week’s nominee for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Odeluga, a linebacker, has devoted much of his time to helping Africa, taking advantage of opportunities both near and far.
In September, Odeulga hosted his third straight AfroTale, a tailgate that he started that aims to provide opportunities for African students to take part in a cultural experience while enjoying a college football game in a safe and welcoming setting.
“I wanted to just find a way to give back to my community in a way that I thought was authentic to myself and bring a lasting positive change to the campus,” Odeulga said in a school video about the tailgate. “I’m a senior now and this is something that I want to live on past me. This is something I want to be able to come back on Homecoming weekend and be out and enjoy with the students that are there at the moment. I want this to be something that students look forward to every year, able to enjoy this for what it is. And it’s AfroTale.”
Additionally, Odeluga and his family helped launch the African Heritage Scholarship at his high school alma mater, powerhouse Mount Carmel on Chicago’s South Side. He served on a mission trip to Africa in 2023 as well.
The 22-year-old Odeluga has sponsored more than 60 tickets each year for on-campus Recognized Student Organizations, for folks from his hometown of South Holland, Ill., and for members of his church. He joins them postgame at the tailgate for music, food and conversation, including at this year’s tailgate, which came after Illinois’ upset win over No. 21 USC on Sept. 27.
“We bring a true tailgate experience, but within our own culinary traditions,” Odeluga said. “So that means within West African food. We’re talking about jollof rice, plantains, meatpies. Everything you could want within the African and Afro-Caribbean cuisine is something that we want to offer just a glimpse of.”
The 6-foot-1, 235-pound Odeluga has visited the Carle Foundation Hospital to meet babies and children of all ages, and he volunteered to help build a garden at the Salvation Army. A member of Illinois’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Odeluga has also volunteered with DREAAM and been a co-leader of EMPOWER, a student-athlete affinity group that uplifts and provides a safe space for student-athletes of color at Illinois. He attended the Black Student-Athlete Summit in Los Angeles in the summer of 2024 as well.
A spring 2025 graduate with a degree in finance, Odeluga has played in 46 career games for the Illini, tallying 68 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and six sacks, to go with two passes defended, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, and he won the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award in 2024. He is this year’s recipient of Illinois’ Big Ten Jackie Robinson Community and Impact Award.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are North Carolina wide receiver Tylee Craft (2025), Virginia running back Mike Hollins (2023), Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), the University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D’Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa’s Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy’s Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson’s Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis’ Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State’s Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo’s William Bratton (2002).008), Navy’s Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson’s Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis’ Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State’s Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo’s William Bratton (2002).
About Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a primarily volunteer non-profit sports organization with more than 400 members that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl’s community outreach is embodied by the four pillars of its Orange Bowl Cares program: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement, and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the 2025 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026.For more information about Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
To submit a nomination for the 2025 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.
2025 Weekly Nominees
- 17: Army safety Larry Pickett Jr.
- 24: Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann
- 1: North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson
- 8: Missouri State fullback Connor Lair
- 15: Auburn kicker Alex McPherson
- 22: Houston director of strength and performance Kurt Hester
- Oct. 29: Illinois linebacker Kenenna Odelu
