BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Valdosta State duo Sammy Edwards (offensive) and Larry Elder (co-defensive), as well as Delta State trio Ahmir Taylor (co-defensive), Jonathan James (special teams) and Nick Clark (freshman) earned Gulf South Conference football weekly awards accolades for their performance during Week 5 of the 2024 season.
Offensive Player of the Week:
Sammy Edwards, Sr., QB, Valdosta State
Edwards completed 19-of-29 passes including two for a touchdown to help the Blazers to a 59-6 non-conference win at Shorter on Saturday. He also contributed with his feet, punching in a score with a one-yard run. The senior gunslinger tossed a season-high 348 yards and pushed his season total to 13 passes through five games with zero interceptions.
Other nominees: Kelvin Smith, Delta State; Ahmari Coats, North Greenville; Jay Sharp, West Florida
Defensive Player of the Week
Ahmir Taylor, Sr., DL, Delta State & Larry Elder, Gr., DB, Valdosta State
Taylor accounted for a team-high six tackles, while tying a personal season-high with 1.5 tackles for loss in the Statesmen 54-9 win at home over Chowan in conference-play. The senior also notched his first sack of the campaign and had a forced fumble in the outing.
Elder earned his second GSC Defensive Player of the Week honor after finishing with five tackles including three solo stops, and a season-high 2.5 sacks in a 59-6 Blazer road win over Shorter. The graduate also recorded his first career interception as Blazer.
Other nominees: James Wells, North Greenville; Kyriee Lewis, West Florida
Special Teams Player of the Week:
Jonathan James, Jr., DB, Delta State
James contributed to the Delta State 54-9 win by blocking a Chowan field goal and extra point attempt on Saturday. The junior thwarted the Hawks' attempt of getting on the scoreboard late in the first quarter and preserved a 14-0 DSU advantage. Then early in the fourth quarter, James stopped a Chowan PAT which led to teammate Tavian Moore's two-point scoop and score.
Other nominees: Brandon Bowman, North Greenville; Virgil Lemons, West Florida.
Freshman of the Week:
Nick Clark, Fr., RB, Delta State
Clark chipped in on Saturday's Delta State win at home over Chowan. The rookie had a pair of season-highs as he rushed 42 yards on eight carries, helping the Statesmen offense tally 248 yards on the ground and 463 total yards of offense. Clark punctuated the performance by punching in his first career touchdown from three yards out. He becomes the first Statesmen to earn top freshman weekly honors since Omar Mantelli was recognized on Nov. 8, 2011.
Other nominees: Brandon Bowman, North Greenville; 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
Defensive Player of the Week
9/2: Larry Elder, LB, 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
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
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