SPARTANBURG, S.C. (Sept. 21, 2026) – The Southern Conference announced that ETSU's
Mike Jenkins was named the Conference's Defensive Player of the Week on Monday afternoon. It is the first weekly award that an ETSU player has earned this season. Jenkins is also the first Buccaneer defender to be named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week since Zach West on November 11, 2024.
Jenkins played an integral role in ETSU's defense to help the Bucs knock off West Georgia by a score of 35-27 on Saturday. Jenkins finished the win with a team-high eight tackles (one for loss) and an interception. Jenkins' interception was not only his first of the season, but he also returned it for 25 yards and a touchdown.
For the season, Jenkins is second on the team with 22 tackles to go along with one interception and a pair of pass breakups.
Jenkins and the rest of the Buccaneers will return to action this Saturday when they host Western Carolina in the annual 'Blue Ridge Border Battle'. Kickoff for that game is set for 3:30 p.m. from Johnson City.
For more information on Buccaneer football, visit
ETSUBucs.com and click on the football tab.
