SEC names Football Players of the Week after Week 8

With everything from overtime thrillers to unexpected blowouts, the SEC delivered in Week 8. On Monday, the conference released its players of the week.

Alabama, Vanderbilt and Texas each had two players reel in all-conference honors. The Crimson Tide especially shined in the defensive category after defeating Tennessee 37-20 on Saturday.

With each week, SEC players have new opportunities to shine for their respective teams. Look below to see the complete list of SEC Week 8 honors.

Offensive
QB Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt
QB Gunner Stockton, Georgia

In Vanderbilt’s 31-24 win over LSU, Diego Pavia completed 14-of-his-22 pass attempts for 160 yards and a touchdown, without throwing an interception. Pavia was also deadly with his legs, tallying a team-high 86 rushing yards and two scores.

Pavia wasn’t the only quarterback who shined Saturday. Georgia QB Gunner Stockton was on point, connecting on 26-of-his-31 pass attempts for 289 yards and four TDs in the Bulldogs’ 43-35 win over Ole Miss. He also threw no interceptions.

Defensive
LB Yhonzae Pierre, Alabama
CB Zabien Brown, Alabama

Alabama’s defense was so exceptional in its triumph over Tennessee on Saturday, the SEC couldn’t pick just one player from the Crimson Tide. Yhonzae Pierre anchored Alabama’s defensive front seven, tallying a career-high three sacks. Pierre’s sacks knocked Tennessee back a combined 31 yards.

While Pierre wreaked havoc upfront, Zabien Brown held down Alabama’s secondary. Brown gave up just 16 passing yards on six targets. Most notably, Brown recorded a pick-six on Tennessee’s final drive of the half, giving Alabama a 23-7 lead.

Special Teams
K Mason Shipley, Texas

Mason Shipley was perfect in Texas’ 16-13 victory over Kentucky in overtime Saturday. Shipley nailed all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 53-yard shot in the first quarter.

After Texas’ defense stuffed Kentucky four straight times on the goal line in overtime, the Longhorns relied on Shipley to seal the game. The veteran delivered, kicking the 45-yard game-winning field goal through the uprights.

Offensive Line
C Jordan White, Vanderbilt

Pavia couldn’t have put on a standout performance without Jordan White blocking for him. White didn’t allow a sack or a quarterback hit in 32 pass block snaps. In turn, Vanderbilt secured its first win over LSU since 1990.

Pavia wasn’t the only one who benefitted from White’s stellar blocking. In total, Vanderbilt racked up 239 rushing yards, the most any team has logged against LSU’s defense this season.

Defensive Line
EDGE Colin Simmons, Texas
EDGE Zion Young, Missouri

Colin Simmons was relentless in Texas’ win over Kentucky. The NFL prospect logged a career-high three sacks and forced his first fumble of the season. Two of Simmons’ sacks were in the fourth quarter with the game tied 10-10.

Not to be outdone, Missouri’s Zion Young also shined on Saturday. In Missouri’s 23-17 triumph over Auburn, Young registered 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. He was also credited with two hurries in the win.

Freshman
RB Tory Blaylock, Oklahoma

If SEC fans weren’t familiar with Tory Blaylock before, they are now. The true freshman running back exploded for a career-high 101 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in Oklahoma’s 26-7 win against South Carolina.

Blaylock contributed the lion’s share to the Sooners’ 171 rushing yards, the team’s most against a Power Four opponent this season. Blaylock now boasts 391 rushing yards and four TDs this season.