We had a tough time picking our NC Football News Offensive Player of the Week after this weekend’s action. So many explosive offensive players put together award-worthy performances – and many were recognized as such by their respective conferences.
In the end, we went with the quarterback who piloted Johnson C. Smith to one of the biggest wins of the season in our state – and one of the most monumental victories in program history: senior Kelvin Durham.
Durham had a hand in all four touchdowns in the Golden Bulls’ 28-16 victory over No. 11/14 Valdosta State. Yes, that Valdosta State – one of the schools synonymous with powerhouse D2 football.
Durham’s 3-yard run with 10 seconds to go before halftime got JCSU on the board after the Bulls fell behind 10-0. His 4-yard dash midway into the third quarter put JCSU ahead for good, 14-10.
Durham also had an 11-yard TD scamper later in the third quarter and threw a TD pass to Reggie Daniels to close the door on the visiting Blazers in the fourth.
Durham, from Homestead, FL (South Dade HS), started for three seasons at Fort Valley State before coming to Charlotte, throwing for 2,096 yards and 23 touchdowns during a successful 2024. He went into the transfer portal in the off-season and reunited with the head coach who first recruited him to Fort Valley State – Maurice Flowers, now the head man during JCSU’s resurgence.
Durham has been an instant-impact addition to the Johnson C. Smith roster. The Golden Bulls have opened 2-0 and knocked Valdosta State out of the D2Football.com media poll (joining the rankings themselves at No. 23). Yes, that Valdosta State – the Blazers have four national championships to their credit since 2004 and played in the D2 title game last season.
Saturday’s triumph was a big deal, which was why Johnson C. Smith earned our NC college football Team of the Week honors.
Honorable Mention Offense
We mentioned plenty of award-worthy performances on the offensive side of the ball this week. Here are others we considered for offensive MVP:
- Demond Claiborne (Wake Forest): ACC Running Back of the Week put up 193 rushing yards and three TDs against Western Carolina.
- Rashod Dubinion (App State): Galloped for 194 yards in the Mountaineers’ home triumph over Lindenwood, his second 100-yard game of the season.
- Hollywood Smothers (NC State): Two touchdowns in the second half proved big in the Wolfpack’s 35-31 comeback win over Virginia, a crucial early win for Dave Doeren and the program.
- CJ Bailey (NC State): Steady hand leading the Wolfpack offense found the end zone three times (two rushing TDs, one passing TD).
- Landen Clark (Elon): CAA Rookie of the Week lit up Davidson’s defense, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another 37 yards and one TD – in the first half.
- Khamoni Robinson (Lenoir-Rhyne): Named South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Week after his 280-yard, four-touchdown passing performance against Tusculum.
- Tre Robinson (UNC Pembroke): Quarterbacked the Braves to a 31-24 win over regional rival Fayetteville State, throwing for 234 yards and three TDs and earning Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Week.
- Traquan Johnson (Elizabeth City State): Accounted for 121 yards (80 rushing, 41 receiving) and earned CIAA Offensive Back of the Week honors as the Vikings gave FCS Hampton a stern (unanticipated?) test.
- Austin Pittman (Winston-Salem State): The CIAA’s Offensive Lineman of the Week paved the way for the Rams’ 320-yard offensive effort at Mars Hill (a 28-25 win).
- Bobby Smith (Johnson C. Smith): CIAA Rookie of the Week contributed 109 yards rushing on 19 carries, ripping off a 52-yarder.
- Michael Pannell (North Carolina Wesleyan): Honorable mention USA South Offensive Player of the Week started the Battling Bishops’ season with a 75-yard TD catch and finished with three receptions for 133 yards.
- Nahjiir Seagraves (North Carolina Wesleyan): Rushed for 152 yards against Averett, including an 86-yard TD sprint down the left sideline early in the second half – the longest offensive scoring play in our state so far this season.
Past Winners: Offensive Player of the Week
Week 1: Gardner-Webb QB Nate Hampton accounts for 6 TDs in wild comeback win over Western Carolina.
🏆 View all of our Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for 2025 as well as our Team of the Week winners at our NC College Football Awards Hub page.
