SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played so far this season. ETSU running back Devontae Houston was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Furman defensive back Taylen Blaylock was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Paladins kicker Ian Williams was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU, Roanoke, Ala.
Houston scored a pair of touchdowns in the Buccaneers’ 45-17 victory over Murray State on Saturday. The product of Roanoke, Alabama, rushed for 128 yards on 14 carries, marking the fourth time in his ETSU career that he surpassed 100 yards rushing. The graduate student’s first score came in the first quarter from the 1-yard line, and his second was in the third quarter from the 7-yard line. Houston’s big game helped ETSU rush for 392 yards, which is the team's highest single-game total since 2021.
Other nominees: Owen Sweeney (VMI) and Patrick Boyd Jr. (Western Carolina)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, Furman, Houston, Texas
Blaylock recorded six tackles, including two tackles for loss, a pass breakup and an interception during is first start with the Paladins, which was a 23-21 win for Furman over William & Mary on Saturday. The graduate student returned his interception 43 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, giving the team the early lead. The native of Houston, Texas, ended the game with a flurry, logging a tackle for a loss and a pass breakup on back-to-back plays with 1:56 left in the game, forcing a turnover on downs and sealing the win.
Other nominees: Cale Williams (The Citadel), Ty Anderson (ETSU), Malik Thornton (Samford), Kam Baah-Slay (Chattanooga), Kouri Crump (VMI), Hayward McQueen Jr. (Western Carolina) and Brandon Maina (Wofford)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ian Williams, Gr., PK, Furman, Charlotte, N.C.
Williams scored 11 points in Furman’s win. The Charlotte, North Carolina, native made three field goals from 50, 42, and 32 yards out, accounting for all of the team’s points in the second half after the Paladins fell behind 21-14. The graduate student also recorded six kickoffs, five of those ending in touchbacks, and six punts, which included a 61-yard boot in the first quarter. Williams was named the Stats Perform FCS National Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday for his performance against William & Mary.
Other nominees: James Platte (The Citadel), Brayden Smith (Mercer), Noah Jones (Samford), Heath Jehu (Chattanooga), Christian Lowery (Western Carolina) and Colby Alexander (Wofford)
2025 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Sept. 1 Devontae Houston, Gr., RB, ETSU
Defensive
Sept. 1 Taylen Blaylock, Gr., DB, Furman
Special teams
Sept. 1 Ian Williams, Gr., PK, Furman