Running back Isaac Odim, the first three-time All-American in the 78-year history of University of Minnesota Duluth football, announced this morning that he has signed a free agent contract with the National Football League's San Diego Chargers.
"I was signed as a free agent with a standard three-year deal that all undrafted rookies get," said Odim, who was also contacted by the Minnesota Vikings. "The contract does not guarantee me a spot on the Chargers roster. I could still get cut before the season starts, so that's the next challenge."
Odim arrived on the UMD campus in 2008 and exited the program last fall as the proud owner of some 17 school single-game, single-season and career records. The Rochester, Minn. native and 2010 team co-captain is the Bulldogs' all-time rushing (4,242 yards), scoring (492 points), touchdown (82) and all-purpose yardage (5,593) leader and is UMD's first three-time football All-American. This past fall, despite missing over half of the year with a season-ending knee injury, Odim was chosen the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Year for a second straight time. He topped the 100-yard rushing barrier in 25 of his 34 games as a Bulldog, including 12 of 13 outings as a junior when he was named to a UMD record five different All-American teams and was also the fourth leading vote getter for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA II Player of the Year. During Odim's three years in Duluth, the Bulldogs captured two NCAA II championships and three NSIC titles while rolling up a 41-2 overall record.
In the classroom, Odim's accomplishments were equally as impressive. In 2010-11, he was selected the CoSIDA Academic All-America of the Year for football (college division) -- becoming just the second Bulldog athlete in any sport to be so honored -- in addition to being one of 16 winners of the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award, which includes an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. A two-time CoSIDA All-Academic All-America first team selection (2009 and 2010) and the winner of the inaugural Bob Stein College Scholar-Athlete Award (Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation), Odim maintained a 3.87 cumulative grade point average and graduated in May with a degree in mechanical engineering. This past spring, Odim became just the seventh male ever to claim both UMD's Outstanding Senior Athlete and Top Scholar Athlete citations.
Odim is the first Bulldog to sign with a NFL club since outside linebacker Russ Rabe did so as a free agent with the New Orleans Saints in April 2005. Offensive tackle and 2010 UMD Athletic Hall of Fame inductee Dave Viaene is the last Bulldog to see playing time in an NFL regular season game (Green Bay Packers in 1992).
"It feels great to finally be on a team ater an entire spring and summer of uncertainty," Odim said. "I'm glad to have a chance to prove myself now."
