South Alabama outside linebacker Tirrell Johnson is the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week, it was announced Monday.
Johnson, a junior from Wynne, Ark., totaled 10 tackles and figured in two takeaways in the fourth quarter of the Jaguars’ 38-31 win at Georgia State last Thursday. Johnson forced a fumble that was recovered by teammate Jayvon Henderson with 4:11 left in the game (and which set up South Alabama’s go-ahead touchdown), then intercepted a pass to seal the victory with 1:01 to play.
Johnson transferred to South Alabama prior to this season from Harding (Ark.) University, which he helped to the Division II national championship in 2023. In eight games for the Jaguars this season, he has totaled 41 tackles, five tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles, a sack, a pass breakup and an interception.
“He’s rock steady on the outside,” defensive coordinator Will Windham said. “He does a great job in pass rush; he’s extremely physical. You like to recruit guys from winning programs — whether that be high school, junior college, transfer portal, guys that understand winning and what it takes to win. And obviously where he came from has a huge tradition of winning, so you didn’t have to teach him how to win or teach him how to fight. He’s just done a great job for us.”
Southern Miss quarterback Braylon Braxton was named Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week after throwing four touchdown passes in a 49-21 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Arkansas State kicker Clune Van Andel — who made two field goals and four extra points in a 34-24 win over Georgia Southern — won the honor on special teams.
Johnson is the first South Alabama player this season named as a Sun Belt Player of the Week. The Jaguars (2-6, 1-3 Sun Belt) host Louisiana (2-6, 1-3) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Hancock Whitney Stadium, with live-streaming via ESPN+.
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