The Sun Belt Conference announced its inaugural weekly player honors on Thursday, recognizing three standout debutants whose performances helped shape the early narrative of the 2026 season.
Deuce Bailey
Bailey, a redshirt freshman from Bowling Green, Kentucky, made an immediate statement by throwing for 373 yards in his Sun Belt debut against West Virginia, tying the program’s single‑game record for a debut quarterback. He completed 21 of 37 passes and added 19 rushing yards, contributing a total of 392 yards of offense despite the 31‑24 loss.
Kobi Albert
Albert, a redshirt junior from Birmingham, Alabama, anchored a dominant defensive showing for Southern Miss, recording three interceptions in the season‑opening victory over Alcorn State. His haul tied the second‑highest interception total in the program’s 110‑year history, and the Golden Eagles limited Alcorn State to just 223 yards of offense, the fewest allowed since 2021.
Dedrick Latulas
Latulas, a fourth‑year specialist from New Iberia, Louisiana, turned a 58‑yard punt return into a touchdown in the second quarter of Louisiana Tech’s 80‑6 win over Northwestern State, marking the first such score for the Bulldogs since 2023. He also caught two passes, becoming the first Louisiana Tech player to combine a punt‑return touchdown with a receiving touchdown since Paul Turner’s dual‑scoring feat in 2015.
Together, the three honorees illustrate the breadth of early‑season excitement in the Sun Belt, from offensive fireworks to defensive dominance and special‑teams spark, setting a promising tone for the weeks ahead.