Football | 9/15/2025 1:46:07 PM
NORFOLK, Va., September 15, 2025 – North Carolina Central quarterback Walker Harris has been named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced today. Teammate Thomas Johnson earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, while Mason Pickett-Hicks of South Carolina State was selected as Rookie of the Week. South Carolina State teammates Roger Smithcollected Offensive Lineman of the Week accolades, and Nico Cavanillas Alti was recognized as Specialist of the Week.
Harris (QB, 6-1, 195, R-Jr., Wake Forest, N.C.) completed 23-of-36 passes for 387 yards, including a long of 63 yards, and three touchdowns in NCCU’s win over Fayetteville State. He also rushed seven times for seven yards, adding another score on the ground.
Johnson (DL, 6-3, 255, R-Jr., Lawndale, Calif.) tallied five solo tackles, including two sacks for a loss of 18 yards, in the Eagles’ victory. He has now recorded at least one sack in four straight games.
Smith (OL, 6-4, 330, Sr., Maple Heights, Ohio) graded out at 90 percent on all blocking assignments, paving the way for South Carolina State’s 561 yards of total offense (226 rushing, 335 passing). He registered seven pancake blocks and did not allow a sack in the Bulldogs’ win over Bethune-Cookman.
Pickett-Hicks (RB, 5-8, 162, Fr., Rock Hill, S.C.) led the Bulldogs with 87 rushing yards and one touchdown, highlighted by a 69-yard scoring run, in the win over Bethune-Cookman. He also completed a pass for 31 yards.
Cavanillas Alti (K, 6-0, 245, R-So., Anderson, S.C.) was perfect on special teams, connecting on all seven PATs and drilling two field goals from 44 and 41 yards.
Other Top Performers
· Na’Shawn Biggs (Delaware State) – Accounted for four solo tackles, including one sack for a seven-yard loss, against Bowie State.
· Antwan Davis (Norfolk State) – Recorded nine tackles, including five solo stops, against Rutgers.
· Helfrich Evan (Norfolk State) – Made a 34-yard field goal against Rutgers.
· Bryce Hall (Howard) – Collected four tackles, one sack for a five-yard loss, and one forced fumble against Morehouse.
· Kevon King (Norfolk State) – Rushed for 56 yards, including the Spartans’ lone touchdown against Rutgers.
· James Jones (Delaware State) – Ran eight times for 100 yards and caught one pass for 26 yards in the Hornets’ win over Bowie State.
· Shane Messenger (Morgan State) – Averaged 38.6 yards on a school-record 12 punts (464 yards), including a season-long 50-yarder, against Toledo.
· Tyriq Starks (Howard) – Accounted for three touchdowns, passing for 241 yards (16-of-27) and rushing for 29 yards on 14 carries, against Morehouse.
· Ryan Stubblefield (S.C. State) – Completed 21-of-35 passes for 286 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for two more scores on five carries for 31 yards against Bethune-Cookman.