The Southeastern Conference announced Monday afternoon that Ole Miss’ Zxavian Harris and Mississippi State’s Will Whitson earned the shared honor of SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week. Both filled the stat lines for their respective teams and helped each program to an opening day victory.
Harris, a senior from Canton, notched five tackles, one sack, and his first career interception in a 63-7 win over Georgia State. He added two quarterback hurries and used his 6-foot-8, 330-pound frame to stave off a Panther run game that had some life in the first half but was buried in the second.
🏈 SEC Co-Defensive Line Player of the Week: WK 1
🔵 Zxavian Harris@OleMissFB x #SECFB pic.twitter.com/GEN0rfHqM9
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 1, 2025
Whitson, a graduate player in his first year with Mississippi State after transferring from Coastal Carolina, couldn’t have had a better start with one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss in a 34-17 win over Southern Miss. Whitson’s tackle for loss number was the best among SEC players in week one. He added five quarterback pressures, which was tied for most in the conference.
🏈 SEC Co-Defensive Line Player of the Week: WK 1
🐶 Will Whitson @HailStateFB x #SECFB pic.twitter.com/5hpexqf04n
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) September 1, 2025
Both Ole Miss and Mississippi State will return to action this Saturday. The Rebels will travel to Kentucky for a 2:30 p.m. day game, while the Bulldogs will host No. 11 Arizona State at 6:30 p.m.
The full list of SEC awards from week one is as follows:
- Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Jackson Arnold, QB, Auburn
- Co-Offensive Player of the Week: Garret Nussmeier, QB, LSU
- Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Colton Hood, DB, Tennessee
- Co-Defensive Player of the Week: Fred Johnson, LB, South Carolina
- Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: Rayshawn Pleasant, DB/KR, Auburn
- Co-Special Teams Player of the Week: Vicari Swain, DB/PR, South Carolina
- Offensive Lineman of the Week: Braelin Moore, C, LSU
- Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week: Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss
- Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week: Will Whitson, DT, Mississippi State
- Freshman of the Week: Braylon Staley, WR, Tennessee
