SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Nov. 7. Tennessee Tech quarterback Jax Leatherwood was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Furman linebacker Raleigh Herbert was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Samford wide receiver/kick returner Kevonte Corbin 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, who also won the honor on Sept. 28, threw for 312 yards, completing 21-of-28 passes in Tennessee Tech’s 66-14 win over VMI. The native of San Diego, California, had a career-high five touchdown passes, all of which came in the first half. Four of his touchdown passes were in the second quarter alone, which ties a SoCon record for touchdown passes in a quarter. Leatherwood has now thrown for 26 scores this season, tying a program record for touchdown tosses in a season.
Other nominees: Jaiden Daniels (ETSU), Ben Croasdale (Furman), JP Pickles (Mercer), Gabarri Johnson (Samford), and Joshua Balloon Jr. (Western Carolina)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Raleigh Herbert, Sr., LB, Furman, Cumming, Ga.
Herbert finished with 16 tackles in Furman’s 24-14 win at The Citadel. After Saturday’s performance, the senior has recorded 14 or more tackles in three consecutive games. The product of Cumming, Georgia, helped preserve a 17-14 advantage late in the fourth quarter, when he combined with Joshua Stoneking for a sack at the Bulldogs’ 8-yard line with 7:04 remaining, forcing a punt on the next play. The Paladins scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive, moving ahead by 10 points to secure the win.
Other nominees: Jarvis Johnson (ETSU), Keion Dunlap (Samford), Montrell Henderson (Chattanooga), Kaleb Brown (Tennessee Tech), Trystan Anderson (Western Carolina), and Wyatt Ward (Wofford)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kevonte Corbin, Fr., WR/KR, Samford, Wildwood, Fla.
Corbin accounted for 214 all-purpose yards in Samford’s 37-35 road win over then 19th-ranked ETSU. The freshman logged a touchdown in the return game, bringing a kickoff back 100 yards to close the deficit to 28-23 in favor of ETSU with 1:19 left in the third quarter. The Wildwood, Florida, native also had the team’s first touchdown, scoring on a 27-yard pass in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
Other nominees: Senin Seymour (Mercer), Heath Jehu (Chattanooga), Qua Ashley (Tennessee Tech), Bryan McCollum (Western Carolina), and Cillian Bonner (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
Oct. 5 Gavin Garcia, 5th, RB, The Citadel
Oct. 12 JP Pickles, Jr., QB, Mercer
Oct. 19 Gerald Modest Jr., Jr., RB, Wofford
Oct. 26 Kevin Lalin, Sr., RB, Chattanooga
Nov. 2 JP Pickles, Jr., QB, Mercer
Nov. 9 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
Oct. 5 Jarvis Johnson, R-So., LB, ETSU
Oct. 12 Eli Campbell, Sr., DB, Wofford
Oct. 19 Jyarius Carter, So., LB, Mercer
Oct. 26 Zion Rutledge, Sr., LB, Chattanooga
Nov. 2 Max Steve, Fr., S, Samford
Nov. 9 Raleigh Herbert, Sr., LB, Furman
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
Oct. 5 Simon Zeidan, So., PK, Mercer
Oct. 12 Jude Kelley, Gr., PK, Chattanooga
Oct. 19 Ty Ippolito, Jr., PK, Samford
Oct. 26 Jude Kelley, Gr., PK, Chattanooga
Nov. 2 Bryan McCollum, So., PK, Western Carolina
Nov. 9 Kevonte Corbin, Fr., WR/KR, Samford