Chase Edmonds, Phazahn Odom and Jihaad Pretlow Named STATS NCAA FCS Preseason All-America

STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team
 
Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham University football is well represented on the 2016 STATS FCS Preseason All-America Team as junior running back Chase Edmonds, senior tight end Phazahn Odom and senior defensive back Jihaad Pretlow were all recognized. Edmonds was placed on the first team while Odom and Pretlow were named to the third team.
 
Edmonds, who was named a preseason All-American for the second straight year, is coming off another sensational season for the Rams as he rushed 251 times for 1,648 yards and 20 touchdowns while also catching 31 passes for 383 yards and five scores in 2015. He led the Patriot League and was third in the NCAA FCS in rushing yards and led the league and was fourth in the NCAA FCS in rushing yards/game (137.3) and rushing touchdowns. Edmonds led the league and was fourth in the NCAA FCS in all-purpose yards/game (184.18) and was second in the nation in scoring (12.5 points/game).

Against Lehigh on October 24, Edmonds set the Patriot League and school single game rushing record with 347 yards on 31 carries with three touchdowns. He also caught two passes for 55 yards and a score in the game to bring his all-purpose yards total to 402, breaking his own Patriot League record of 385 all-purpose yards set in the 2014 NCAA Championship game at New Hampshire.

At the conclusion of the season, Edmonds, who finished fourth in the STATS FCS Offensive Player of the Year voting, was named a consensus All-American as well as the 2015 Patriot League and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year. 

Over his career, Edmonds has rushed for 3,486 yards and 43 touchdowns, both second best on the Fordham career lists.
 
Odom, a 2015 first team All-Patriot League selection, enjoyed a solid first year as a starter in 2015, catching 37 passes for 492 yards (13.3 yards/catch) and seven touchdowns. The seven touchdowns receptions set a school record for a tight end, surpassing Dan Light and Stephen Skelton who each had six.
 
Over his career, Odom has 42 receptions for 548 yards and seven touchdowns.
 
Pretlow, a transfer from Temple who was named first team All-Patriot League in 2015 at defensive back and second team as a return specialist, was fourth on the squad last fall with 67 total tackles, 48 solo, including 3.0 for loss. He led the team and was third in the Patriot League, and 37th in the NCAA FCS, with 12 passes defended and he also had two interceptions and one fumble recovery.
 
As a kickoff returner, Pretlow had 33 returns for 864 yards (26.2 yards/return) with one touchdown, an 87-yarder versus Holy Cross. He led the Patriot League and was 18th in the NCAA FCS in kickoff return average.
 
The Rams open the 2016 season on Saturday, September 3, as they travel to Annapolis to take on Navy at 12:00 p.m. in a game that will be televised live on the CBS Sports Network. Season tickets for 2016 are now available through the Fordham Ticket Office.