Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia and Ohio State’s Caden Curry Named Walter Camp National FBS Players of the Week – Week 5 (Sept. 30)

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The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 27.

About the Award: This is the 22nd year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season.   It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.

                                               

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

DIEGO PAVIA, VANDERBILT

Graduate Student, Quarterback, Albuquerque, NM

Diego Pavia accounted for 400 yards of total offense and six touchdowns in Vanderbilt’s 55-35 win over Utah State.  He completed 26-of-34 passes for 321 yards and a school-record-tying five touchdowns.  Pavia also led the Commodores with 79 rushing yards and one touchdown on just nine carries. Vanderbilt is 5-0 for the first time since 2008.

Notes: It is the fourth time since 2004 that a Vanderbilt player has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors.  Pavia is the first Vandy honoree since former All-America linebacker Zach Cunningham (Oct. 15, 2016).

 

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

CADEN CURRY, OHIO STATE

Senior, Defensive End, Greenwood, IN

Caden Curry recorded a career-high 11 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, and three quarterback sacks in top-ranked Ohio State’s 24-6 win over Washington.  Curry’s TFL total is the highest in a single game in Ohio State history, and the most by any FBS player this season.   The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, Curry led a Buckeye defensive unit that held Washington to just 234 total yards, 61 on the ground.

Notes: It is the 15th time an Ohio State player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004, and the first since October 30, 2022, when former defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau was honored.

 

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.  The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.  For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

TCU’s Eric McAlister and Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez Named Walter Camp National FBS Players of the Week (Week #4 – Sept. 23)

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The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 20.

About the Award: This is the 22nd year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season.  It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
ERIC MCALISTER, TCU

Senior, Wide Receiver, Azle, TX

Eric McAlister had eight receptions for 254 yards, the second most in a single game in program history as TCU defeated SMU, 35-24, in the Battle for the Iron Skillet.  The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, McAlister also caught three touchdowns (27, 70 and 44 yards).

Notes: It is the 12th time since 2004 that a TCU player has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors.  McAlister is the first TCU honoree since former former Horned Frog quarterback Max Duggan (Oct. 2, 2022).

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JACOB RODRIGUEZ, TEXAS TECH

Junior, Linebacker, Wichita Falls, TX

Jacob Rodriguez led 17th-ranked Texas Tech to a 34-10 victory at 16th-ranked Utah. Rodriguez had 11 tackles, while also adding one forced fumble and one interception. The Red Raiders created four forced turnovers in the win – a season high – against a Utah offense that entered the game averaging 45.7 points a game.

Notes: It is the eighth time a Texas Tech player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004 and the first since former linebacker Jordyn Brooks (Oct. 6, 2019).

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880. Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team.

The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.  The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.  For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

www.WalterCamp.org

Missouri’s Ahmad Hardy and Southern Miss’ Ian Foster Named Walter Camp National FBS Players of the Week – Week 3 (Sept. 16)

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The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 13.

About the Award: This is the 22nd year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season.   It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

AHMAD HARDY, MISSOURI

Sophomore, Running Back, Oma, MS

Ahmad Hardy rushed for 250 yards (on just 22 carries) and scored three touchdowns as No. 25 Missouri (3-0) defeated Louisiana-Lafayette, 52-10.  Hardy scored on runs of 7, 71 and 7 yards and produced the most rushing yards by any FBS player in a game this season and the seventh-most in a single game in Mizzou history.

Notes: It is the seventh time since 2004 that a Mizzou player has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors.  Hardy is the first honor since former Tiger quarterback Drew Lock was honored on Sept. 3, 2017.

 

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

IAN FOSTER, SOUTHERN MISS

Redshirt Sophomore, Safety, Brundidge, AL

Ian Foster recorded a career-high 12 tackles (5 solo) as the Golden Eagles defeated Sun Belt Conference rival App State, 38-22. Foster also had one interception which he returned 99 yards for a touchdown and added three pass breakups, one on a 3rd and 2 play late in the first half to quell a Mountaineer drive in which he almost collected his second interception, and one on 4th and 9 late midway through the fourth quarter to end another App State possession.

Notes: It is the second time a Southern Miss player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors since 2004 (linebacker Michael Boley, Sept. 12, 2004).

 

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information. 

The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.  For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

Week 2: Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson and Texas A&M DL Cashius Howell Named Walter Camp National FBS Players of the Week

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The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 6.

About the Award: This is the 22nd year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season.   It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.

                                               

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

SAWYER ROBERTSON, BAYLOR

Redshirt Senior, Quarterback, Lubbock, TX

Sawyer Robertson led the Bears to a come-from-behind, double overtime win at No. 17/16 SMU, 48-45.  Robertson completed 34-of-50 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns. Robertson led drives of 72 yards and 82 yards in the fourth quarter of the comeback win.   The Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week, Robertson is just the third college quarterback (since 2000) to throw for at least 850 yards and 7 TDs without an interception to open a season.

Notes: It is the fifth time since 2004 that a Baylor player has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors.  Robertson is the fourth Baylor quarterback to be recognized, joining former signal-callers Robert Griffin III (2011-twice), Bryce Petty (2014) and Seth Russell (2015).

 

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

CASHIUS HOWELL, TEXAS A&M

Senior, Defensive Line, Kansas City, MO

Cashius Howell led the 16th-ranked Aggies (2-0) to a 44-22 victory over Utah State.  Howell, who recorded four tackles on the day, recorded a quarterback sack in three consecutive plays – on one Utah State drive – in the second quarter. It was the first time a FBS player has recorded three straight sacks since 2015.

Notes: It is the 10th time that a Texas A&M player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors and the first since former quarterback Kellen Mond (Nov. 24, 2018).  Howell is the Aggies’ first Defensive Player of the Week since Von Miller (Nov. 28, 2010).

 

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.  The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.  For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week Award Program Returns for 22nd Year

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Walter Camp FBS Player of Week Facts

Background

The Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week award began in 2004.  It is the longest- running Player of Week award in college football. 116 different schools have had either an Offensive or Defensive Player of the Week during that time. 

All-time Recipients (2004 to 2024) – pdf

Most recipients by team (entering the 2025 season)

21, Alabama (SEC)

15, Notre Dame (Independent)

14, Clemson (ACC)

14, Ohio State (Big Ten)

13, LSU (SEC)

13, Texas (SEC, previous Big 12))

12, Oregon (Big Ten, previous Pac-12)

12, Oklahoma (SEC, previous Big 12)

 

Three-Time Recipients

Six players have been three-time Player of Week recipients.

Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma (2004-twice, 2005)

Colt McCoy, QB, Texas (2006, 2008, 2009)

Case Keenum, QB, Houston (2008, 2009, 2011)

Julius Jones, LB, Georgia (2011, 2012-twice)

Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville (2016-three times)

Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss (2020, 2021-twice)

 

There have been 34 two-time recipients (24 on offense; 10 on defense).

 

Team First

Two times since 2004 have the Defensive Player of the Week gone to an entire defensive unit.  On Sept. 25, 2005, the Virginia Tech defense earned the honor after a 51-7 victory over then 15th-ranked Georgia Tech.   On November 6, 2016, the Alabama defensive unit was accorded Defensive Player of the Week honors after allowing zero points and just 125 yards of total offense in a 10-0 win over then 13th-ranked LSU.

 

Sharing the Award

Just once in 21 years has there been a Co-Player of the Week.  North Carolina running backs Michale Carter and Javonte Williams share Offensive Player of Week honors after a 62-26 victory over then 10th-ranked Miami, Carter rushed 24 times for 308 yards and two touchdowns, while Williams had 23 carries for 236 yards and three scores.

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.  The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.  For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.

LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier and South Florida LB Jhalyn Shuler Named Walter Camp National FBS Players of the Week

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The Walter Camp Football Foundation has announced the Football Bowl Subdivision National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games ending September 1.

About the Award: This is the 22nd year that the Walter Camp Football Foundation will honor one offensive and one defensive player as its national Football Bowl Subdivision player of the week during the regular season.   It is the nation’s longest running Player of Week award.

                                               

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

GARRETT NUSSMEIER, LSU

5th Year Senior, Quarterback, Lake Charles, La.

Garrett Nussmeier led LSU to a comeback 17-10 victory at Clemson.  Nussmeier completed 28-of-38 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown in the matchup of top ten ranked teams. He connected on his final 11 passes, including all nine in the fourth quarter, as the Tigers erased a 10-3 halftime deficit.

Notes: It is the 14th time since 2004 that a LSU player has earned Walter Camp National FBS Player of Week honors.  Nussmeier is the first LSU since former quarterback and eventual Walter Camp Player of the Year Jayden Daniels (Nov. 12, 2023) to earn the honor.

 

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

JHALYN SHULER, SOUTH FLORIDA

Graduate, Linebacker, Abbeville, S.C.

Jhalyn Shuler led the Bulls to a 34-7 victory over 25th-ranked Boise State. Shuler posted a career-high 14 tackles, one for a loss, recovered one fumble and had one pass break-up. Shuler was also named Defensive Player of the Week by the American.  It was South Florida’s first victory over a Top 25-ranked opponent since 2016.  The 27-point margin of victory was also the second highest in program history over a ranked opponent.

Notes: It is the fifth time that a South Florida player has earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors and the first since former defensive back Nate Allen was honored on October 4, 2009.   

 

Considered the “Father of American Football,” Walter Camp introduced the play from scrimmage, set plays, the numerical assessment of goals and tries and the restriction of play to eleven men per side in 1880.   Nine years later, Mr. Camp, then the Yale University head coach, selected the first-ever college football All-America team. The Walter Camp Football Foundation – a New Haven-based all-volunteer group – was founded in 1967 to perpetuate the ideals of Camp and to continue the tradition of selecting annually an All-America team.  Visit www.waltercamp.org for more information.  The Foundation is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football’s most prestigious awards and its 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 13 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.  For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.