SEC announces player awards after opening weekend

The SEC had an interesting opening weekend full of games for every team in their league. Now, with the dust settled, the conference has named their top players for the week.

In a release on Monday afternoon, the Southeastern Conference announced its weekly awards. The selections feature six separate programs and players from seven different positions.

Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe

Alabama’s quarterback competition was a massive story this offseason and, with his performance this weekend, Jalen Milroe may have put an end to it. He finished his season debut with 194 passing yards, 48 rushing yards, and five total touchdowns in the Crimson Tide’s 56-7 win over MTSU.

He produced all of that in just three quarters of action while also proving his worth as a passer with a Top-10 efficiency rating in the nation from the weekend

Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Tennessee QB Joe Milton

Many were interested to see Milton in his debut considering he was taking over for Hendon Hooker. It was no problem for the Volunteer’s new QB1, though, as he went 21/30 for 201 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee’s 49-13 win over Virginia.

With two rushing touchdowns as well, Milton posted his first career game with a pair of scores through the air and on the ground.

Defensive Player of the Week: Kentucky ILB Trevin Wallace

Trevin Wallace was all over the field for Kentucky in the Wildcat’s 44-14 win over Ball State on Saturday. He finished the game with a team-high and career-high tying 12 tackles along with half a sack. Over half of those tackles also led to a yard or less of gain for the Cardinals.

On top of that, it was a hit from Wallace that forced a fumble that turned into a recovery touchdown for DB Jalen Geiger.

Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: Kentucky WR Barion Brown

Barion Brown has proven himself to be one of the better offensive weapons in the SEC with the ball in his hands. He justified it again with his second consecutive season opener with a kick-return touchdown.

Brown returned two kickoffs for a combined 117 yards. Much of that came on his 99-yard return touchdown at the end of the third quarter, though, that extended Kentucky’s lead to 23 against the Cardinals. Add in his 39 receiving yards on offense and he finished his sophomore debut with 159 total yards.

Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: Ole Miss WR Jordan Watkins

Ole Miss didn’t lack any offense in their 73-7 win over Mercer. That included some solid work from WR Jordan Watkins as a punt returner.

Watkins ran his first punt back for a score at the start of the third quarter against the Bears. He had an all-around great day too considering he finished as the Rebel’s second-leading receiver with six catches for 111 reception yards.

Offensive Lineman of the Week: Auburn OL Gunner Britton

Britton did some very solid work for Auburn against UMass in his first game not representing Western Kentucky. He finishes the outing as the Tiger’s highest-graded offensive lineman.

He also led a unit that didn’t allow a sack this weekend in the 59-14 win to open their season.

Defensive Lineman of the Week: Tennessee DE Tyler Baron

Baron was one of many Volunteers that wreaked havoc against the Cavaliers in Nashville this weekend. He finished his performance in Tennessee’s 36-point victory with three tackles and a pair of sacks.

His 2.5 tackles for loss led the game as he and Vol’s defense finished up a quality performance against Virginia.

Co-Freshman of the Week: Alabama DB Caleb Downs

Caleb Downs is as highly-regarded on Alabama’s roster as a freshman this season. He proved why that it too based on how he played in his college debut against MTSU.

Downs finished as the Crimson Tide’s leading tackler with eight while also getting one for a loss. It was quite a strong debut for the underclassman who was a five-star prospect and the No. 1 safety in the previous recruiting cycle.

Co-Freshman of the Week: Mississippi State K Kyle Ferrie

Mississippi State found plenty of offense against SE Louisiana but, in the end, several of those points came from kicker Kyle Ferrie. He opened their 48-7 win with a 47-yarded while also knocking in a 49-yarder in his debut.

He ended up being one of the nation’s better kickers on the weekend as he went 2/2 on field goals and 6/6 on extra points.