ATLANTA — The Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced its SIAC Football Players of the Week on Tuesday, September 3, honoring student-athletes for performances in games played during Week Zero.
Clark Atlanta’s David Wright and
Dahlil Wilkins, along with
Central State’s Jose Chaires and
Benedict’s Jalen Leary, were recognized.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – DAVID WRIGHT, CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
Quarterback | Junior | Tampa, Fla.
Wright, the reigning SIAC Offensive Player of the Year, threw for a career-high seven touchdowns and 423 yards in his Clark Atlanta debut. He also went 23-31 on completions and maintained a streak of 14 completions at one point. Wright’s performance lifted Clark Atlanta to its first win since October 2022 and its first win over Fort Valley State (45-42) since 2018.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – DAHLIL WILKINS, CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY
Cornerback | Senior | Bamberg, S.C.
Wilkins snagged two interceptions in his Clark Atlanta debut Saturday, helping the Panthers secure a 45-42 win over Fort Valley State.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – JOSE CHAIRES, CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
Kicker/Punter | Senior | Atlanta, Ga.
Chaires averaged 33 yards on seven punts, with a long of 50 yards, in Central State’s season opener against Morehead State. He also contributed an extra point and a field goal to the Marauders' tally.
NEWCOMER OF THE WEEK – JALEN LEARY, BENEDICT COLLEGE
Running Back | Graduate | Savannah, Ga.
Leary rushed for 109 yards on 14 carries, with a long of 47 yards, in the Black College Hall of Fame Classic against Virginia State.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors seven men's and six women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.