SoCon names football players of the week

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. Western Carolina quarterback Lex Thomas was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Mercer cornerback Cameron Goggins was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Wofford running back Davis Penn was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Lex Thomas, Jr., QB, Western Carolina, Raleigh, N.C.
Thomas completed 27-of-35 passes, throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns in Western Carolina’s 45-21 season-opening win over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. The junior also ran for a team-best 69 yards, including a game-sealing 15-yard scamper in the fourth quarter. The native of Raleigh, North Carolina, tossed each of his touchdown passes in the third quarter, with two scores going to running back Josh Perry and one to Bode Burns. Thomas’ performance helped the Catamounts to their first season-opening victory since 2022.

Other nominees: Mason Mims (ETSU), Brayden Smith (Mercer), Marquise Henderson (Samford), Kevin Lalin (Chattanooga), Jax Leatherwood (Tennessee Tech), and Gerald Modest Jr. (Wofford)
 
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cameron Goggins, Sr., CB, Mercer, Hampton, Ga.
Goggins recorded three tackles (two solo) and returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown as Mercer defeated East Texas A&M, 23-15, on Saturday. The product of Hampton, Georgia, logged his score with 15 seconds left in the opening half, putting the Bears ahead 23-0 before the break. The senior’s touchdown proved to be the game-winning score for Mercer in the contest.

 
Other nominees: Dre Delinois (ETSU), Eli Lipscomb (Furman), Jalen Nelson (Samford), Kam Baah-Slay (Chattanooga), Joshua Collins (Western Carolina) and Wyatt Ward (Wofford)
 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Davis Penn, Fr., RB, Wofford, Southlake, Texas
Penn returned a blocked punt 33 yards for a touchdown in Wofford’s 42-14 victory against The Citadel on Saturday. The native of Southlake, Texas, scooped up the punt that was blocked by teammate Eli Campbell in the second quarter, converting it for a score and giving the Terriers’ a 14-0 advantage. The freshman also logged a tackle and on offense, recorded three carries for 10 yards in his collegiate debut.

 
Other nominees: Simon Zeidan (Mercer), Will Thorley (Samford), Heath Jehu (Chattanooga), Ben Shrewsbury (VMI), and Bryan McCollum (Western Carolina)
 
2026 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Aug. 31             Lex Thomas, Jr., QB, Western Carolina
 
Defensive
Aug. 31             Cameron Goggins, Sr., CB, Mercer
 
Special teams
Aug. 31             Davis Penn, Fr., RB, Wofford