BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Football weekly awards for October 5, 2026, where Bethune-Cookman’s Rashon Brown earned Offensive Player of the Week followed by Naim Lassiter earning Defensive Player of the Week. Alcorn State’s Jamarr Ebron swiped Newcomer of the Week and Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Jaden Williams earned Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
SWAC Football Offensive Player of the Week: Rashon Brown, Bethune-Cookman
The Redshirt Freshman from Pahokee, Florida led the Wildcats on the ground with 31 rushes for 260 yards while scoring the lone touchdown in Saturday’s win over Alabama State. Brown is ranked #3 in the SWAC with 484 rushing yards and continues to show growth each week with getting in the endzone, being ranked second in the SWAC with eight touchdowns. Brown had two consecutive games with three touchdowns and contributed to Bethune-Cookman’s rushing attack where the Wildcats are ranked No. 1 in the SWAC in rushing. Brown adds his first weekly honor, following a historic weekend in the run game.
 
SWAC Football Defensive Player of the Week: Naim Lassiter, Bethune-Cookman
The Senior Safety from Tampa, Florida led the Wildcats on the defensive side of the ball with nine tackles (six solo, three assisted), half of a tackle for loss, and half of sack. Lassiter contributed to the Wildcats giving up under 100 yards in the air and limited the rushing attack from the Hornets. Lassiter adds his second game with nine tackles and leads Bethune-Cookman with 36 tackles while adding 1.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one pass breakup. Following a stout performance on the defensive end, Lassiter adds his first weekly award.
 
SWAC Football Newcomer of the Week: Jamarr Ebron, Alcorn State
The Senior from Washington, D.C. was an instrumental piece to the high-powered offense of Alcorn State in Saturday’s matchup at Grambling State. Ebron added three catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Ebron recorded his longest catch of the season with a seam route through the middle for 76 yards and displaying his speed to do the rest for the score. Contributing to his team scoring 59 points, Ebron adds his first weekly honor of the season.
SWAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week: Jalen Williams, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Sophomore Running back from Rayville, Louisiana made his presence felt in Saturday’s win over Southern, finishing with 245 all-purpose yards. Williams added three rushes for 78 yards and was a key contributor shifting the momentum on special teams opening with a 33-yard kick return, following with a 60-yard kick return and adding a 66-yard return that ultimately led to the Golden Lions scoring a touchdown. Williams finished with 167 kickoff return yards, averaging 55.7 yards per return. As Williams continues to find his footing with Arkansas-Pine Bluff, he earns his first weekly honor.
 
 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.