Dylan Sampson and Cooper Mays receive SEC weekly awards

Sampson and Mays deserve awards

photo by UT Athletics

Following Tennessee’s gritty and thrilling victory over the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide on the third Saturday in October, the Southeastern Conference office announced that a pair of Volunteers had been honored with the league’s weekly honors. Junior running back Dylan Sampson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week, and senior center Cooper Mays received the SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week award.


Sampson rushed for a career-high 139 yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns and led the Tennessee offense to a 24-17 victory over the Tide. Both of Sampson’s scores came in the second half, and 83 of his 139 yards came after contact. His 139 yards on Saturday were the most by a player against Alabama since Heisman Trophy winner Jaden Daniels of LSU had 163 yards on Nov. 4, 2023.

Through just seven games this season, Sampson is now tied for second in UT’s single-season rushing touchdowns with 17, one shy of the 95-year-old school record of 18 set by Gene McEver in 1929. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana native eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark to lead the SEC for the sixth time this season, which now ranks sixth in UT single-season history. Sampson also scored multiple rushing touchdowns for the sixth time this season after no other Volunteer this century (2000-24) had even scored five in a single campaign.


In terms of UT career records, Sampson is now fourth in rushing touchdowns (30) and sixth in 100-yard games (10).


Mays led the way for a Tennessee offense that produced 408 total yards and 214 rushing yards, the most Alabama has allowed all season. The All-Americans played all 76 offensive snaps in the preseason and didn’t commit a sack or penalty as Tennessee beat No. 7 Alabama for the second straight time at Neyland Stadium.


It was the 21st straight game in which Mays has not allowed a sack, a streak that dates back to the 2022 season. According to PFF, Mays was the highest-graded blocker in the game on either side of the ball at 82.9. He led the Vol offensive line, which scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, including a 7-play, 54-yard drive with 5:52 remaining.


Tennessee has earned 10 SEC weekly awards this season and 39 in the Josh Heupel era (2021-present), including seven Offensive Player of the Week awards and 11 Offensive Player of the Week awards.

SEC Weekly Awards – Week 8



Forward of the week

Dylan SampsonRB, Tennessee



Co-Defensive Player of the Week
Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia
Nick Emmanwory, S, South Carolina



Special Teams Player of the Week
Damian Ramos, PC, LSU



Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Emery Jones, OT, LSU

Cooper MaysK, Tennessee

Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
Mykel Williams, DT, Georgia

Freshman of the Week
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida



Tennessee Football – 2024 SEC Weekly Awards.



Forward of the Week (1)

Dylan Sampson (vs. Alabama, Oct. 19)



Special Teams Player of the Week (1)
Max Gilbert (at Oklahoma, September 21)

Offensive Lineman of the Week (2)

Cooper Mays (vs. NC State, Sept. 7; vs. Alabama, Oct. 19)



Defender of the Week (2)
Joshua Josephs (at Oklahoma, September 21)
James Pierce Jr. (vs. Florida, Oct. 12)



Freshman of the Week (4)
Boo Carter (vs. Florida, October 12)
Niko Yamaleava (vs. Chattanooga, Aug. 31; v. NC State, 9/7; at Oklahoma, Sept. 21)