BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced Football Weekly awards for September 14, 2026, where Alcorn State’s Jaylon Tolbert career weekend earned him Offensive Player of the Week followed by Ernest Temple from Alcorn State added Newcomer of the Week. On the other side of the ball, Alabama A&M’s Jeremiah Hudson-Davis was swiped Defensive Player of the Week and Tre Rigby earned Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
SWAC Football Offensive Player of the Week: Jaylon Tolbert, Alcorn State
The Senior from Fort Lauderdale, Florida displayed a career night in Alcorn State’s SWAC Opener in the 37^th Annual Southern Heritage Classic, throwing for 485 yards while going 32-for-45 and adding five touchdowns, willing his team back from a 14-point deficit to win 53-51 over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in double overtime Saturday, September 12. Tolbert made his impact on the ground game with seven rushes and 36 yards. Jaylon Tolbert’s performance was recognized Nationally as he was also named the BOXTOROW HBCU Co-Player of the Week and an honorable mention for FCS Stats Perform Offensive Player the Week. Nationally in the FCS, Tolbert is ranked No. 4 with 869 passing yards while also being ranked in the top five with a 75 percent completion rate. As Tolbert continues to lead the offense under center, he adds his first weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Football Defensive Player of the Week: Jeremiah Hudson-Davis, Alabama A&M
The Redshirt Senior from Fairfield, Alabama was a key piece on the defensive side of the ball helping Alabama A&M defeat Tennessee State in the Legacy Series on Saturday, September 12. Hudson-Davis opened the day with an interception that helped set up the Bulldogs scoring a touchdown on the following play. Jeremiah Hudson-Davis finished the night with 12 tackles (two solo, 10 assisted), one tackle for loss, one sack and one interception. As the Bulldogs did not allow a touchdown, Jeremiah Hudson-Davis adds his first weekly honor of the season.
 
SWAC Football Newcomer of the Week: Ernest Temple, Alcorn State
The Senior Running back from Chicago, Illinois added his best outing of the season so far with 18 rushes, 144 yards, 2 touchdowns, five receptions, 56 receiving yards and 200 all-purpose yards in the 37^th Annual Southern Heritage Classic double overtime win against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Temple was an integral part of the Braves’ 214 rushing yards and 699 yards of total offense. Ernest Temple averaged 5.1 yards per carry and now leads the Braves with 187 rushing yards on the season. As the Braves prepare for their next matchup, Temple will be a player to keep an eye on as he earns his first weekly honor.
 
SWAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week: Tre Rigby, Bethune-Cookman
The Junior from Miramar, Florida made his impact felt defensively and on the special teams side as his speed was put on display with two kick returns for 103 yards in the Saturday matchup against Stetson, including his longest return for 73 yards in the first quarter that helped put Bethune-Cookman in great field position to score on the drive while wiping away a 3-0 lead from Stetson and never surrendering the lead for the rest of the matchup. Rigby followed with a 30-yard return in the third quarter, placing the Wildcats on the Stetson 48-yard line resulting in Bethune-Cookman scoring on that drive. As Rigby swarms to the ball in the secondary, he also shows his speed on returns and earns his first weekly honor as a result.
 
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 competitions are 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 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or visit the official website of the SWAC at www.swac.org.