BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Week 8 Gulf South Conference Football Weekly Awards presented by Athletic Solutions for the 2026 season went to Delta State running back Nick Clark (offensive), Valdosta State defensive back Curtis Janvier and West Alabama kick returner Kendrick Joseph (special teams and freshman).
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nick Clark, RB, R-So., Delta State

• Helped the Statemen’s 37-33 to a win in the conference opener with No. 25 West Alabama.
• Rushed for 178 yards on 32 carries, averaging 5.6 yards per carry.
• Found the endzone in the third quarter to give Delta State a 31-20 lead.
• Also had a catch for 10 yards.

Other nominees: Shawn Paschall, Valdosta State
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK          
Curtis Janvier, DB, Jr., Valdosta State

• Helped the Blazers to a 41-31 win over Shorter.
• Finished with three tackles, including one solo stop, a pass breakup.
• Recorded two interceptions, returning them for total of 50 yards. The first one stopped Shorter’s opening drive of second half as it led 24-21 and was returned 30 yards, setting VSU’s go-ahead touchdown giving it a 28-24 lead, while the second came late in the fourth quarter to secure to the win.

Other nominees: Tavian Moore, Delta State; Legend Doggett, West Alabama
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kendrick Joseph, KR, R-Fr., West Alabama

• Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, both for 97 yards, in the Tigers’ 37-33 loss to Delta State
• Had six kickoff returns totaling 327 yards, setting a GSC and NCAA Division II single-game record for most yards on kickoff returns.
• Became the third GSC player and 11th in NCAA DII history to have two kick return touchdowns in a single game, joining eventual NFL standouts Tyreek Hill (2015) and Jordan Babineaux (2003).

Other nominees: none
 
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Kendrick Joseph, KR, R-Fr., West Alabama

• Returned two kickoffs for touchdowns, both for 97 yards, in the Tigers’ 37-33 loss to Delta State
• Totaled 327 yards on six returns, setting a GSC and NCAA Division II single-game record for most yards on kickoff returns.
• Became the third GSC player and 11th in NCAA DII history to have two kick return touchdowns in a single game, joining eventual NFL standouts Tyreek Hill (2015) and Jordan Babineaux (2003).

Other nominees: Leandro De Carvalho, Delta State
 
2026 GSC Football Weekly Award Winners
Offensive Player of the Week
WK0 (Aug. 31): Luther Richesson, QB, West Alabama
WK1 (Sept. 7): Luther Richesson, QB, West Alabama
WK2 (Sept. 14): Luther Richesson, QB, West Alabama
WK3 (Sept. 21): Shawn Paschall, RB, Valdosta State
WK4 (Sept. 28): Luther Richesson, QB, West Alabama
WK5 (Oct. 5): Shawn Paschall, RB, Valdosta State
WK6 (Oct. 12): awards not presented
WK7 (Oct. 19): Qualon Farrar, RB, Delta State
WK8 (Oct. 26): Nick Clark, RB, Delta State
 
Defensive Player of the Week
WK0 (Aug. 31): Anthony Oatis, DE, West Alabama
WK1 (Sept. 7): Legend Doggett, CB, West Alabama
WK2 (Sept. 14): Joseph Harper, LB, West Alabama
WK3 (Sept. 21): Julius Pascal, LB, Valdosta State
WK4 (Sept. 28): Jalin Herbert, DL, West Alabama
WK5 (Oct. 5): Jayden Bethea, LB, Valdosta State
WK6 (Oct. 12): awards not presented
WK7 (Oct. 19): Jordan Bradley, DB, Delta State
WK8 (Oct. 26): Curtis Janiver, DB, Valdosta State
 
Special Teams Player of the Week
WK0 (Aug. 31): Lucas Edenfield, P, Valdosta State
WK1 (Sept. 7): Eoin Walsh, K/P, West Alabama
WK2 (Sept. 14): Eoin Walsh, K/P, West Alabama
WK3 (Sept. 21): Jordan McKnight, DB, Delta State
WK4 (Sept 28): Eoin Walsh, K/P, West Alabama
WK5 (Oct. 5): Price Nixon, K/P, Delta State
WK6 (Oct. 12): awards not presented
WK7 (Oct. 19): Drake Fowler, RS, Delta State
WK8 (Oct. 26): Kendrick Joseph, KR, West Alabama
 
Freshman Player of the Week
WK0 (Aug. 31): Dakarai Shanks, RB, West Alabama
WK1 (Sept. 7): Dakarai Shanks, RB, West Alabama
WK2 (Sept. 14): Jabari McMillan, DB, Valdosta State
WK3 (Sept. 14): Jabari McMillan, DB, Valdosta State
WK4 (Sept 28): Eoin Walsh, K/P, West Alabama
WK5 (Oct. 5): Bentley Ware-Roberson, DB, Valdosta State
WK6 (Oct. 12): awards not presented
WK7 (Oct. 18): no nominees
WK8 (Oct. 26): Kendrick Joseph, KR, West Alabama