OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jax Leatherwood, QB • 6-8, 253, Jr. • San Diego, Calif. • Southeast Missouri
Leatherwood passed for 225 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Southeast Missouri topped North Alabama 30-21 in its home opener. The transfer from San Diego Mesa College, completed 21-of-33 passes and threw touchdowns passes of 55 and 8 yards in the second half while rushing for a three-yarder in the first half. Through two games this season he has completed 68.1 percent of his passes and thrown four touchdown passes with no interceptions.
Others Nominated: Charles Kellom, Eastern Illinois; Anthony Lowe, Gardner-Webb; Aidan Littles, Tennessee Tech; Bryce Bailey, UT Martin.
DEFENSIVE CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sanjay Strickland, LB • 6-3, 219, R-Sr. • Arvada, Colo. • Lindenwood
Strickland had a game-high 13 tackles (5 solo) as Lindenwood lost by a touchdown at FBS foe Appalachian State. The 13 stops were a career-high for the senior who also added a sack (for -8 yards) and forced a fumble, one of three takeaways on the night for the Lindenwood defense.
DEFENSIVE CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Theron Gaines, DL • 6-1, 237, Sr. • Murfreesboro, Tenn. • Tennessee Tech
Gaines played a key role as Tennessee Tech knocked off in-state for Chattanooga to improve to 2-0 start for the first time since the 2012 season. The senior had seven tackles (3 solo), 1.5 tackles for loss (for -9 yards), 1.0 sacks (for -8 yards), forced a fumble and added a quarterback hurry in the 45-17 victory. Gaines and the TTU defense limited the Mocs to just 25 rushing yards.
Others Nominated: Kaleb Lyons, Eastern Illinois; Landon Sylvie, Southeast Missouri; Jabaree Dawkins, UT Martin; Justin Richardson, Western Illinois.
SPECIAL TEAMS CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gilbert Brown, P • 6-0, 175, Sr. • Richmond Hill, Ga. • Charleston Southern
Brown set the OVC-Big South Association record for longest punt (82 yards) during Charleston Southern’s game at FBS foe Coastal Carolina. The punt ranks as the longest at any level of NCAA football in 2025. The senior punted nine times with four of those downed inside the Chanticleers 20-yard line without a touchback. Overall Brown averaged 40.7 yards per punt and had two go longer than 50 yards.
SPECIAL TEAMS CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Justin Keller, K • 6-0, 185, Sr. • Shawnee Mission, Kan. • Southeast Missouri
Keller accounted for 12 points as Southeast Missouri won its home opener, 30-21 over North Alabama. He kicked a 29-yard field goal midway through the second quarter to put the Redhawks on the board and added a 27-yarder as time expired in the first half. His longest attempt and make of the game, 48 yards, came on the first possession of the second half. Keller was perfect (3-for-3) on PATs and averaged 63.5 yards on six kickoffs.
Others Nominated: Mason Miller, Eastern Illinois; AJ Vinatieri, Lindenwood; Jaren Van Winkle, UT Martin.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Rico Bond, WR • 6-1, 177, R-Fr. • St. Louis, Mo. • Lindenwood
Bond led Lindenwood with seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown in the team’s 20-13 loss at FBS foe Appalachian State. His 24-yard touchdown catch with 3:34 to play pulled the Lions to within seven points late in the game. The seven catches are the most by a Lindenwood player this season.
Others Nominated: Jayden Hancock, Charleston Southern; Connor Wolf, Eastern Illinois