Vote for Athlon's College Football Awards of the Week — Revenge Edition
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Week 3 of the college football season served up a whirlwind of action.
Trinidad Chambliss balled out and led No. 8 Ole Miss past No. 7 LSU, 32-24, in the grudge match of the year in Oxford, while humbling former coach Lane Kiffin. Darian Mensah was nearly perfect in leading No. 5 Miami past Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. And North Carolina State snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against Vanderbilt in Nashville.
Athlon Sports celebrates all of this madness and more by asking YOU, dear reader, to select our Offensive Player of the Week, Defensive Player of the Week and Surprise Team of 2026 So Far.
Without further ado, cast your votes below!
Offensive Player of the Week
Candidates:
- Miami QB Darian Mensah: 30-34 passing, 220 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT in 33-20 win at Wake Forest
- Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss: 33-48 passing, 363 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT in 32-24 win over No. 7 LSU
- Alabama QB Keelon Russell: 23-30 passing, 320 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT in 50-36 win over Florida State
- Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith: 5 catches, 85 yards; passed Michael Jenkins for most receiving yards in school history (2,958) in 59-3 win over Kent State
- Wisconsin WR Tyrell Henry: school-record 14 catches, 160 yards, 1 TD in 54-10 win over Eastern Michigan
Defensive Player of the Week
Candidates:
- Vanderbilt DE Miles Capers: forced game-winning fumble in end zone, 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss in 35-31 win over North Carolina State
- Kentucky DB Jordan Castell: 13 tackles, 1 INT in 31-21 win over No. 9 Texas A&M
- Ole Miss DE Kam Franklin: 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, deflected pass on crucial fourth down in 32-24 win over No. 7 LSU
Surprise Team of the Year So Far
Related: Virginia Tech, Maryland Moving in Different Directions After Hokies’ Win
Related: Why Trinidad Chambliss Can Be the No. 1 Overall Pick in the 2027 NFL Draft
Related: NC State Just Lost to Vanderbilt in the Most Embarrassing Way Possible
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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