FAIRMONT, W. Va. - The Mountain East Conference has announced Monday the winners of this week’s Football Player of the Week awards. The MEC Player of the Week awards are presented by The Health Plan. 

Glenville State’s quarterback JD Sherrod was selected as the MEC Offensive Player of the Week, Glenville State’s safety Knowel Smith was named the MEC Defensive Player of the Week, and Fairmont State’s kicker/punter Ethan Vargo Thomas was named the MEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Sherrod, a redshirt junior from Memphis, Tennessee led Glenville State to a 24-21 victory over Millersville on Sept. 3. The quarterback finished 17-for-28 with 277 yards and three passing touchdowns. Additionally, Sherrod tallied 47 rushing yards. 

Smith, a redshirt freshman from Newport News, Virginia locked down the Pioneers defense, with 12 total tackles which included six solo and six assisted tackles. Additionally, Smith secured an interception during the third quarter.

Vargo Thomas, a redshirt junior from Oak Hill, West Virginia finished with 305 total punting yards on seven attempts with an average of 43.57 yards. The kicker/punter recorded four 50+ yard punts, while also placing a punt inside the 20-yard line.

2026 MEC FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
8/31: Joe Dailey, West Virginia State
9/7: JD Sherrod, Glenville State

2026 MEC FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
8/31: Neal Luca, West Liberty
9/7: Knowel Smith, Glenville State

2026 MEC FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
8/31: Christian Torres, Concord 
9/7: Ethan Vargo Thomas, Fairmont State