BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference Football Weekly Awards for Monday, October 26, 2026, where Texas Southern and Bethune-Cookman swept the awards with Athean Renfro Jr. from Texas Southern earning Offensive Player of the Week followed by Miguel Arana III earning Special Teams Player of the Week. On the side of Bethune-Cookman, Tyler Jefferson earned Newcomer of the Week followed by Stephen Sparrow earning Defensive Player of the Week.
 
SWAC Football Offensive Player of the Week: Athean Renfro Jr., Texas Southern
The Senior from Beaumont, Texas led the Tigers with 23 rushes for 135 yards and one touchdown on Saturday’s Homecoming win over Southern. Renfro Jr. was an integral piece to Texas Southern’s success, scoring on a 15-yard rush to push the Tigers ahead 14-7 going into halftime. The Tigers leaned on his rushing attack in the final drive with five rushes to push the Tigers into field goal range, resulting in the walk-off field goal. Renfro Jr. averaged 5.9 rushes per carry with his longest rush being 42 yards. On the season, he adds 122 rushes for 666 yards and six touchdowns. Athean Renfro’s impact earns him his second weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Football Defensive Player of the Week: Stephen Sparrow, Bethune-Cookman
The Graduate Linebacker from Orlando, Florida led the Wildcats with his season-high of 11 tackles (seven solo, four assisted) while adding two tackles for loss, one pass breakup, one sack and one forced fumble in the 24-21 win over Jackson State. Bethune-Cookman’s defense held Jackson State to 33 yards on the ground where Sparrow was an important of the success. Sparrow adds 42 total tackles with four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and 2.5 sacks on the year. Following a successful weekend for the program, Stephen Sparrow shines with his first weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Football Newcomer of the Week: Tyler Jefferson, Bethune-Cookman
The Junior Quarterback from High Springs, Florida helped lead the Wildcats to victory, going 8-for-14 in the air with 113 passing yards, 68 rushing yards and three touchdowns including the game-winning pass to Rickie Shaw II against Jackson State. Jefferson has proven to be a dual threat Quarterback that is on each opponent’s scouting report while growing comfortable in his new home at Bethune-Cookman. Jefferson has thrown 609 yards in the air while adding six touchdowns and is now earning his first weekly award following an impactful weekend.
 
SWAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week: Miguel Arana III, Texas Southern
The Freshman from Rosharon, Texas made his moment count in his first collegiate homecoming as Arana III nailed a 46-yard walk-off Field Goal for the 24-21 win over Southern, marking the Tigers’ first win in SWAC Play. Miguel Arana III went 3-for-3 on PATs and is now 9-for-12 on the year with field goals. From between 40-49 yards, Miguel Arana is 6-for-6, with his longest field goal being 48 yards on the year. Following a kick that sealed the win for the Tigers, Miguel Arana III earned his first weekly award of the season.
 
About the SWAC
The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) is considered one of the premier HBCU conferences in the country and currently ranks among the elite in the nation in terms of HBCU alumni playing with professional sports teams.

Current championship competition offered by the league includes competition for men in Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, and Tennis.

Women’s competition is offered in the sports of Basketball, Bowling, Cross Country, Golf, Indoor Track and Field, Outdoor Track and Field, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, and Volleyball.

Follow the SWAC
For complete coverage of the Southwestern Athletic Conference, please follow the SWAC on social media at @TheSWAC (Twitter), @TheSWAC (Facebook), and @TheSWAC (Instagram) or visit the official home of the Southwestern Athletic Conference at www.swac.org.