BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Southwestern Athletic Conference announced weekly honors for Football for the date of September 28, 2026, where Alabama A&M’s Byron Perrilliat was named Offensive Player of the Week followed by Alabama State’s Eldridge Shelton earning Defensive Player of the Week. Rounding out the awards, Alcorn State’s Fredrick Robertson earns Newcomer of the Week, and DJ Hicks from Alabama State earns Special Teams Player of the Week.
 
SWAC Football Offensive Player of the Week: Byron Perrilliat, Alabama A&M
Following a career night in the SWAC Opener against Florida A&M, the Freshman from Jefferson, Louisiana earns his first weekly honor after posting a stat line of 16 rushes, 223 rushing yards, two touchdowns and his longest rush being 52 yards. Byron Perrilliat gained national recognition following his Saturday night performance being named FCS National Freshman of the Week along with being named HBCU Co-Player of the Week. Being a contributor in the SWAC Opening win, Perrilliat’s touchdowns came at a crucial time scoring a touchdown at the 13:13 mark in the fourth quarter and again at the 9:51 mark to halt the second half comeback from Florida A&M winning 40-21. Byron Perrilliat earns his first weekly honor of the season following a career night from Saturday’s win.
 
SWAC Football Defensive Player of the Week: Eldridge Shelton, Alabama State
The Sophomore from Birmingham, Alabama made his presence known in the Saturday night win for Alabama State, adding six tackles (four solo, two assisted), 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Shelton filled up the stats sheet while contributing to a 41-15 win over Mississippi Valley State and made his opportunity count with a season-high across the board. As Shelton continues to grow his career, he adds his first weekly honor going into a new week.
 
SWAC Football Newcomer of the Week: Fredrick Robertson, Alcorn State
The Sophomore from New Orleans, Louisiana stamped his name in Saturday’s win over 43-40, where the touchdowns started and ended with Robertson. Robertson finished with 29 rushes for 105 yards, three touchdowns, five receptions, 70 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. Robertson opened the game with a 27-yard touchdown in the air while continuing to build with multiple touchdowns on the goal line. With the game on the line, Robertson broke a tackle for the score, walking it off for an overtime win against Texas Southern, moving the Braves to 2-0 in SWAC play. Robertson received praise on ESPN for his performance, putting more national attention on the program. Following a weekend win and season-high, Robertson adds his first weekly honor.
 
SWAC Football Special Teams Player of the Week: DJ Hicks, Alabama State
The Freshman from Orlando, Florida immediately made his impact in the SWAC Opener for Alabama State scoring on a 34-yard receiving touchdown, putting the Hornets on the scoreboard. Hicks followed with opening the second half with a 98-yard kickoff return, building the Hornets lead to 27-6. DJ Hicks finished the night with two returns for 127 yards and 161 all-purpose yards, where his first two collegiate touchdowns occurred on the same night. Following an impactful game in the SWAC Opener, Hicks earns his first weekly honor 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.