Week 15: Tyler Brown, James Madison

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photo courtesy jmu athletics

James Madison University safety Tyler Brown, who starred at Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, has been named the DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week after his strong performance helped the Dukes make school history.

Brown made seven tackles with two tackles for loss and one sack as James Madison beat Troy, 31-14, in the Sun Belt Conference championship game this past Friday night, earning a berth in the College Football Playoff for the first time ever.

That was just the latest standout showing for Brown, a sophomore who has shined on and off the field in Harrisonburg. He recorded 13 tackles in 13 games as a freshman in 2024, but this season has taken his game to another level. He moved into the starting lineup at free safety and has been the Dukes’ second leading tackler, with 80 tackles, five tackles for loss and one interception, earning third-team All-Sun Belt honors.

The day before the victory over Troy, Brown received the Sun Belt’s Elite Award, which recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition while also achieving the highest academic standard. The award is presented to the Sun Belt student athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average competing on the final day for each of the conference’s championships.

This week’s DC Touchdown Club Washington Metro College Football Player of the Week honor roll:

  • Rhode Island RB Antwain Littleton Jr. (St. John’s) rushed 16 times for 123 yards and two touchdowns as the Rams lost to UC-Davis, 47-26, in an FCS second-round game.

  • Susquehanna DB Xavier Maple (Reservoir) intercepted a pass in the end zone and returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown as the River Hawks beat Eastern, 29-0, in an NCAA Division II second-round game.

  • Duke DE Wesley Williams (Battlefield) made five tackles with one tackle for loss and broke up a pass as the Blue Devils beat Virginia, 27-20 in overtime, in the ACC championship game.