BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Valdosta State defensive back Larry Elder (defensive), West Alabama punter Trey Sullivan (special teams), and North Greenville wide receivers Dre’ Williams (offensive) and Tyshon Mansell (freshman) were the Gulf South Conference football weekly awardees for Week 7 of the 2024 season.
Offensive Player of the Week:
Dre’ Williams, Sr., WR, North Greenville
Williams had a career-day on Saturday in the Trailblazers 52-35 conference win over Erskine. The senior amassed 208 receiving yards while pulling in eight catches with four touchdowns. In addition to posting the most receiving yards by a GSC player this season, Williams’ performance also set a number of single-game school records including most receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and longest reception (70 yards). He also finished the week with 20 rushing yards with two carries.
Other nominees: Jaylen Green, Delta State; Tyler Ajiero, Valdosta State; TJ Lane, West Florida
Defensive Player of the Week
Larry Elder, Gr., DB, Valdosta State
Elder led the Blazer defense in tackles as No. 3 Valdosta State downed Mississippi College, 35-10, on Saturday. The graduate defensive back made a season-high 11 stops, including five solo tackles, along with two tackles for loss. The Blazers held Mississippi College to 261 offensive yards with 38 yards through the air, while scoring 14 points on two turnovers. This is Elder’s third-time winning the GSC Defensive Player of the Week after previously being recognized on Sept. 2 and Oct. 7.
Other nominees: Demetric Barnes, Delta State; De’Iveon Donald, North Greenville; Trevon Stanford, West Alabama; Adam Aiken, West Florida
Special Teams Player of the Week:
Trey Sullivan, Gr., P, West Alabama
Sullivan totaled 304 yards on eight punts for West Alabama on Saturday. The graduate pinned Delta State inside its own red zone on five occasions. As a result, he had a season-high in punt yardage and a career-high in punts inside 20 yards. This is Sullivan’s second consecutive time this season being recognized as GSC Special Teams Player of the Week and third-overall, as he previously won the award on Sept. 16 and Sept. 14.
Other nominees: Virgil Lemons, West Florida
Freshman of the Week:
Tyshon Mansell, Fr., WR, North Greenville
Mansell helped North Greenville in a 52-35 conference win over Erskine on Saturday. The rookie had six catches, two for touchdowns, and totaled 101 receiving yards. His showing on Saturday resulted in career-bests in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions. This is Mansell’s second GSC Freshman of the Week award after previously earning the honor on Sept. 23.
Other nominees: Rodshaun Dorsey, Erskine; Ty Brown, Valdosta State; Keeshaun Glanton, West Florida
2024 GSC Football Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
9/2: Sammy Edwards, QB, Valdosta State
9/9: Cole Kirk, QB, Delta State
9/16: Blake Hester, RB, Valdosta State
9/23: Alfonso Franklin, RB, Valdosta State
9/30: Javier Batiste, WR, Mississippi College
10/7: Sammy Edwards, QB, Valdosta State
10/14: Marcus Stokes, QB, West Florida
10/21: Dre’ Williams, WR, North Greenville
Defensive Player of the Week
9/2: Larry Elder, DB, Valdosta State
9/9: JJ Hudson, LB, Delta State
9/16: Davonta Jackson, DL, West Alabama
9/23: Lamar Gray, DB, West Alabama
9/30: Kam Canterbury, DB, Wet Florida
10/7: Ahmir Taylor, DL, Delta State & Larry Elder, DB, Valdosta State
10/14: Delawrence Butler, LB, West Alabama
10/21: Larry Elder, DB, Valdosta State
Special Teams Player of the Week
9/2: Elijah Guyton, K, West Alabama
9/9: Virgil Lemons, RS, West Florida
9/16: Trey Sullivan, P, West Alabama
9/23: Elijah Guyton, K, West Alabama
9/30: n/a
10/7: Jonathan James, DB, Delta State
10/14: Trey Sullivan, P, West Alabama
10/21: Trey Sullivan, P, West Alabama
Freshman of the Week
9/2: n/a
9/9: Rodshaun Dorsey, WR, Erskine
9/16: n/a
9/23: Tyshon Mansell, WR, North Greenville
9/30: n/a
10/7: Nick Clark, RB, Delta State
10/14: Corey Scott, WR, West Florida