Linebacker Daymion Sanford named SEC's Defensive Player of the Week

There is “filling up the stat sheet.”

And then there is what Daymion Sanford did vs. Mississippi State.

For a well-rounded and extremely impactful performance in Texas A&M’s 31-9 victory, the junior linebacker has been named the Southeastern Conference’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

Sanford shares the honor with Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson. Additionally, Cashius Howell was named the league’s Defensive Lineman of the Week.

“He's a phenomenal kid,” A&M head coach Mike Elko said of Sanford. “He works really hard in practice. Mentally, he never, ever blinked. When he didn't win the starting job, or he didn't have the role that he wanted to have the first few weeks, he just wanted to know what he could do to keep playing.”

Sanford tallied nine total tackles, finishing behind only Taurean York (10) for the team lead, and the linebacker duo each posted four solo stops.

However, two of Sanford’s stops resulted in losses, and he even dropped State quarterback Blake Shapen for a six-yard loss on the second play of the evening.

Perhaps that’s when the 12th Man should’ve realized they were about to be treated to another Wrecking Crew-esque defensive performance as the Aggie defense combined for four total sacks and limited the Bulldogs to just one third-down conversion on 10 attempts.

Oh, and for the first time in 2025, A&M won the turnover battle, and Sanford played a role in that as well.

With the Ags trailing 3-0 and State already in plus territory, Howell pressured Shapen and forced a wounded-duck of a pass that Sanford came down with. It was the first interception of his collegiate career.

“Honestly, I knew he was going to throw the ball, but as soon as I saw the ball in the air, it was kind of wobbly,” Sanford recalled. “I just ran to it and prayed to God and caught it. I tried to go score, but my legs are a little tired, a little dead.”

In truth, it’s three consecutive impressive performances by the Katy Paetow product, and all of this is in relief of the injured Scooby Williams.

Through five games this fall, Sanford has 19 total tackles, nine solo stops, 4.5 TFLs resulting in 28 yards in losses, 2.5 sacks and a pick.

“My motto is always stay ready,” he said. “You can't just be a drop-off.

“I just stay ready, trust my keys, trust my coaching. Honestly, just go out there and make plays. That's all I did.”

Staying ready led Sanford to the first SEC weekly honor of his career as he became the third different A&M defender to be recognized this season, joining Howell (Week 2 & Week 6) and Albert Regis (Week 3).