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 on Sept. 26. Tennessee Tech quarterback Jax Leatherwood was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Samford safety Lashon Young was named the Defensive Player of the Week and ETSU place kicker Ewan Johnson was also named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jax Leatherwood, Sr., QB, Tennessee Tech, San Diego, Calif.

Leatherwood had a career day for Tennessee Tech as the Golden Eagles rallied back from a 14-point fourth quarter deficit to top Wofford, 42-38, on Saturday. The senior was 38-for-48 through the air, throwing for 427 yards and five touchdowns. The native of San Diego, California, who completed passes to 12 different receivers, established new career highs in completions, passing yards and touchdown passes in the contest. Leatherwood threw three of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter, helping Tennessee Tech outscore Wofford, 21-3, in the final frame.

Other nominees: TJ Peyton (ETSU), JP Pickles (Mercer), Gabarri Johnson (Samford), Kevin Lalin (Chattanooga), and Ethan Drumm (Wofford)
 
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Lashon Young, Jr., S, Samford, Sweet Water, Ala.
Young had three tackles, including one for loss, and an interception in Samford’s 45-7 victory over VMI. The product of Sweet Water, Alabama, was responsible for the game’s first score as returned his interception 45 yards for a touchdown, making the score 7-0 after 84 seconds of play. The junior was part of a Samford defense that allowed just 61 passing yards to the Keydets. Young also contributed on special teams, returning three punts for 85 yards, including a 55-yard return in the second quarter.

Other nominees: Charles Woodard (ETSU), Cameron Goggins (Mercer), and Zion Rutledge (Chattanooga)
 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ewan Johnson, R-Sr., PK, ETSU, Knoxville, Tenn.
Johnson made all 10 of his kicks on Saturday, going 3-for-3 on field goals and 7-for-7 on PATs in ETSU’s 58-31 win against Western Carolina. The redshirt senior connected on field goals from 33 and 49 in the second quarter, before making 43-yard boot in the third quarter. The native of Knoxville, Tennessee, also handled the kickoff duties in the contest, setting a personal best for kickoff attempts (11) and yardage (692). Johnson’s 16 points versus Western Carolina moved him into fifth place on ETSU’s all-time scoring list.

Other nominees: Senin Seymour (Mercer), Lashon Young (Samford), Davon Kiser (Chattanooga), Qua Ashley (Tennessee Tech) and Sam Spence (Wofford)
 
2026 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Aug. 31             Lex Thomas, Jr., QB, Western Carolina

Sept. 7             Gavin Garcia, Gr., RB, The Citadel

Sept. 14            Tre’ Holloway, Gr., WR/RS, Tennessee Tech

Sept. 21            Joshua Perry, So., RB, Western Carolina

Sept. 28            Jax Leatherwood, Sr., QB, Tennessee Tech
 
Defensive
Aug. 31             Cameron Goggins, Sr., CB, Mercer
Sept. 7             Omari Philyaw, Sr., DB, Tennessee Tech

Sept. 14            Caleb Easterling, So., CB, Furman

Sept. 21            Mike Jenkins Jr., Sr., S, ETSU

Sept. 28            Lashon Young, Jr., S, Samford

Special teams
Aug. 31             Davis Penn, Fr., RB, Wofford

Sept. 7             Cillian Bonner, So., P, Wofford

Sept. 14            Tre’ Holloway, Gr., WR/RS, Tennessee Tech

Sept. 21            Bryan McCollum, So., PK, Western Carolina

Sept. 28            Ewan Johnson, R-Sr., PK, ETSU