A Prestigious Watch List
The 2026 MAC Hermann Trophy watch list has been released, and among the 27 candidates is Indiana University’s midfield dynamo, Collins Oduro. The senior forward, now in his fourth year with the Hoosiers, has already amassed 12 goals, 13 assists and a total of 27 points, positioning him as a leading contender for the nation’s most coveted individual award in college soccer.
Oduro’s impact extends beyond sheer numbers. His playmaking ability and knack for finding the back of the net have made him a focal point of the Hoosiers’ attacking strategy. As the season opener approaches, the team will host Notre Dame on August 20 at 8 p.m. ET, a match that could further cement his status among the nation’s elite.
Top Drawer Soccer’s preseason Top 100 rankings placed Oduro at No. 57, underscoring the respect he commands across the sport. Coaches and analysts alike note that his blend of vision, work rate and clutch finishing could make the difference for Indiana as they aim for a deep postseason run.
The Hermann Trophy is determined by a vote of Division I head coaches, who evaluate performance throughout the campaign. Semifinalists will be announced on December 4, and three finalists will be selected in early January. The winner will be crowned on January 8, 2027, at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Missouri, in a ceremony that draws national attention.
Beyond the personal accolade, the award honors Robert Hermann, a pioneering figure in American soccer who helped found the North American Soccer League and was inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012. The trophy’s legacy reflects a blend of on‑field excellence and contributions to the sport’s growth in the United States.
For Oduro, the journey is as much about individual recognition as it is about team success. With the Hoosiers poised to make a statement in their opening game, the midfielder’s focus remains on contributing to Indiana’s collective ambition while keeping his own dreams of the Hermann Trophy alive.