BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Southeastern Conference office announced Monday afternoon that a pair of Tennessee defensive standouts earned weekly awards for their performances in Saturday’s 41-34 overtime victory at Mississippi State. Junior linebacker Arion Carter was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week, while senior defensive end Tyre West was tabbed SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.
Carter delivered a memorable performance, finishing with a career-best 17 tackles and providing the game-winning pass breakup on fourth down at the goal line in overtime. His 17 tackles also tied for the most by an FBS player in a single game this season.
The Smyrna native leads the SEC and is tied for second among Power Four players with 49 total tackles this year—15 more than the next closest SEC player.
West made his impact with three tackles, two sacks for a loss of 11 yards, and a crucial forced fumble that shifted the momentum. With Mississippi State driving to extend its lead in the fourth quarter, West strip-sacked quarterback Blake Shapen, and Joshua Josephs scooped up the fumble and scored to tie the game. West’s two sacks marked a career high and added to Tennessee’s nation-leading total of 20 through five weeks.
Tennessee has racked up 45 weekly honors from the conference office under head coach Josh Heupel (2021-present), including four this season.
SEC Weekly Awards – Week 4 (Sept. 29, 2025)
Co-Offensive Player of the Week
Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss
Defensive Player of the Week
Arion Carter, LB, Tennessee
Special Teams Player of the Week
Brock Taylor, PK, Vanderbilt
Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week
Patrick Kutas, OL, Ole Miss
Kadyn Proctor, LT, Alabama
Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week
Bryan Thomas Jr., EDGE, South Carolina
Tyre West, DE, Tennessee
Freshman of the Week
Oscar Bird, P, Ole Miss
Tennessee Football – 2025 SEC Weekly Honors
Defensive Player of the Week (2)
Arion Carter (at Mississippi State, 9/27)
Colton Hood (vs. Syracuse, 8/30)
Defensive Lineman of the Week (1)
Tyre West (at Mississippi State, 9/27)
Freshman of the Week (1)
Braylon Staley (vs. Syracuse, 8/30)
