A freshman running back making his first Division I start, a wrecking-ball linebacker from Fayetteville and a kicker who journeyed from London to the CIAA headline our North Carolina College Football Players of the Week.
Here are our picks for the top offensive, defensive and special teams players from Week 5 of the season (Sept. 25-27):
👉 To view past winners, check out our North Carolina College Football Awards Hub.
👉 UNC Pembroke is our NC College Football Team of the Week after an historic shutout win at Valdosta State.
🏆 Offensive Player of the Week: Nate Sheppard, Duke
Nate Sheppard didn’t just step into the starting lineup at Syracuse — he stole the show. The freshman from Mandeville, LA ran wild for 168 yards and two touchdowns in Duke’s 38-3 rout, earning ACC Running Back of the Week honors. Sheppard averaged an eye-popping 11.2 yards per carry on 15 attempts, including scoring runs of 49 and 12 yards that helped the Blue Devils seize control on the road.
His performance wasn’t just impressive in Durham — it stood out nationally. Sheppard’s 169 rushing yards were the most by any freshman in college football this season and the fourth-highest total by a Duke freshman in program history. He finished with 201 all-purpose yards, the second-most by a freshman in the country this year.
For a Duke squad now 2-0 in ACC play, Sheppard’s breakout game signals another dangerous weapon in an offense already brimming with confidence.
Sheppard also was named On3’s True Freshman of the Week:
Nate Train 😈 pic.twitter.com/0O7cphWBLL — Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) September 30, 2025
Honorable Mentions
- Taron Dickens, Western Carolina (QB): 427 passing yards and 4 TDs in a 42-35 win at Campbell, giving him 1,000+ yards in the past two games.
- Walker Harris, NC Central (QB): 333 total yards (288 pass, 45 rush) and 3 TDs in a shootout victory over East Texas A&M.
- Que Kennedy, UNC Pembroke (WR): 3 catches for 130 yards and 2 TDs in the Braves’ historic 31-0 shutout at No. 20 Valdosta State.
- Davontay Deloatch, Winston-Salem State (WR): 12 receptions, 88 yards, 3 TDs to lead the Rams over Virginia Union.
- Kelvin Durham, Johnson C. Smith (QB): Nearly flawless, 18-for-22 for 297 yards and 4 TDs in a 69-point outburst on homecoming.
- Jimmyll Williams Jr., Elon (RB): Career-high 172 yards, 1 TD on just 13 carries (13.2 ypc) in the Phoenix’s 41-20 win over Hampton.
- Malique Frazier, Chowan (WR): 187 yards on just 4 catches (46.8 ypc) with 1 TD in the Hawks’ first-ever Conference Carolinas win.
- Catawba RB duo (Kevin Lalin & Marquece Williams): Combined for 266 rushing yards and 3 TDs, including a 61-yard burst by Williams.
- Bobby Smith, Johnson C. Smith (RB): Freshman tallied 93 yards and 2 TDs to keep the Golden Bulls’ offense rolling.
🏅 Defensive Player of the Week: Jamieson Alston, Winston-Salem State
Winston-Salem State linebacker Jamieson Alston turned in one of the most disruptive performances in the state this season, leading the Rams to a 28-21 victory. The senior from Fayetteville’s Seventy-First High School racked up 13 total tackles, nine of them solo, and wreaked havoc behind the line of scrimmage with six tackles for loss that pushed opponents back 27 yards.
Every time Virginia Union threatened to build momentum, Alston was there to blow up a run or chase down a ball carrier. His ability to diagnose plays and deliver punishing hits not only set the defensive tone but also gave the Rams’ offense extra chances in a tight game. For a WSSU team pushing to stay in the CIAA race, Alston’s veteran leadership and relentless energy made all the difference.
Alston’s six TFLs are the most in a single game by a North Carolina college player this season.
Honorable Mentions
- Jamiel Davis, UNC Pembroke (DB): Pick-six and three tackles in the Braves’ 31-0 shutout at No. 20 Valdosta State.
- Nick Iannone, Guilford (LB): 19 tackles, including 12 solo, one week after setting a school record with 24 stops.
- Kenyon Garner, Livingstone (DL): Two sacks, forced fumble and fumble recovery to anchor the Blue Bears’ defensive front against Bowie State.
- Ayden Davis, NC Central (DB): Six tackles, two tackles for loss and two pass breakups in a shootout win at East Texas A&M
- Demarcus Carroll, Chowan (LB): Posted 15 tackles, including nine solo, to pace the Hawks’ defense at Shorter.
- Caden Fordham, NC State (LB): Tallied 15 tackles, eight solo, in the Wolfpack’s ACC battle with Virginia Tech.
- Ishmel Atkins, Elon (DB): Snagged two interceptions in the Phoenix’s 41-20 victory over Hampton.
- Mandjou Berte, Wingate (LB): Logged four tackles for loss in a narrow setback against Carson-Newman.
🏆 Special Teams Player of the Week: Lukasz Smolen, Johnson C. Smith
Johnson C. Smith has found another weapon in its push for a CIAA title — kicker Lukasz Smolen. The freshman from London, England, delivered a flawless day in the Golden Bulls’ 69-13 rout, going 9-for-9 on extra points to set a school record and notch the most PATs in a single game across North Carolina this season.
Smolen also showcased his leg strength on kickoffs, booting 11 attempts for 712 yards, with nine going for touchbacks to keep Bluefield State pinned deep all afternoon. His accuracy and power ensured JCSU maintained momentum and controlled field position throughout its lopsided victory.
Smolen’s story stretches beyond Charlotte — he was featured in a BBC article last December about the growth of American football in the UK, making his breakout day another chapter in a unique journey.
Honorable Mentions
- Jakobe Lane, Chowan (KR): Averaged 42.3 yards per return, including an 81-yarder that set up a key touchdown in the Hawks’ 30-29 win.
- Kaleb Robinson, NC Central (K): Perfect night, connecting on 2-of-2 field goals and 6-of-6 PATs in the Eagles’ shootout victory.
- Caden Noonkester, NC State (P): Averaged 51.8 yards on five punts vs. Virginia Tech, with a long of 66 yards.
- Jordan Lane, Shaw (P): Launched the longest punt of the week statewide, a booming 69-yarder against Virginia Union.
Check out our 🏅 NC College Football Awards Hub to follow every weekly winner from the 2025 season.
