BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Football Weekly awards where Texas Southern’s Athean Renfro was named Offensive Player of the Week and Southern’s Michael Williams II was named Defensive Player of the Week. Arkansas-Pine Bluff swept the final two categories with Demetric Whitlock earning Newcomer of the Week and Trey Glymph being named Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
SWAC Football Offensive Player of the Week: Athean Renfro, Texas Southern
The Junior from Beaumont, Texas continues to power the Tigers’ offense as he led Texas Southern with a career night with 21 rushes, 233 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the 23-20 overtime win over Grambling State. Renfro averaged 11.1 yards a carry and displayed his speed with a 75-yard rushing touchdown followed by an 86-yard rushing touchdown. With three games left to play, Renfro has already surpassed his stats from 2025 (835 rushing yards) as he is ranked No. 2 in rushing in the SWAC with 899 yards while averaging 105.1 yards a game. Athean Renfro Jr. earns his third weekly honor following a career night in the backfield.
 
SWAC Football Defensive Player of the Week: Michael Williams II, Southern
The Junior Cornerback made his presence felt in the SWAC matchup against Florida A&M with three tackles (two solo, one assisted). Where Michael Williams II stood out was as a ball hawk, totaling two interceptions with 115 return yards including a 98-yard touchdown return. On the year, he adds 24 tackles, three interceptions, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups. As Southern cruised past Florida A&M for a 49-14 win, Williams II held his ground in the secondary to earn his first weekly award of the season.
 
SWAC Football Newcomer of the Week: Demetric Whitlock, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Junior Wide Receiver from Gilbert, Louisiana with four catches, 48 receiving yards, three touchdowns and his longest reception being 35 yards. Whitlock did not waste his opportunities with three of four of his receptions being touchdowns as the Golden Lions surged past Bethune-Cookman with a 63-21 win. Demetric Whitlock leads Arkansas-Pine Bluff with 36 catches, 570 receiving yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 71 yards a game. As the Golden Lions continue to push one game at a time, Whitlock earns his second weekly award.
 
SWAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week: Trey Glymph, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
The Graduate Kicker made his contribution, going 9-for-9 on PAT Field Goals in the 63-21 win over Bethune-Cookman. As Glymph has made his presence felt with the Golden Lions, he has a 100 percent rate with his longest being 39 yards on the season. With a No. 1 ranking in the SWAC for Field Goals, Trey Glymph adds 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.