Monday, September 26, 2022

CHICAGO, Ill. – Stetson’s Ja’Veon Ensley and Valparaiso’s Mason Kaplan were selected Monday as the FedEx Ground FCS National Players of the Week for Week 4 college football games through Saturday.

Also received recognition as honorable mention selections in Week 4 were Marist quarterback Brock Bagozzi, Morehead State wide receiver/return specialist Gunnison Bloodgood, and Presbyterian punter Parker Maddrey.

Ensley and Kaplan are the first PFL athletes to earn FedEx Ground FCS National Players of the Week recognition from Stats Perform.

FedEx Ground FCS National Defensive Player of the Week
Ja’Veon Ensley, Stetson, S, Grad, 6-1, 179, Plainfield, New Jersey
Ensley made decisive plays throughout Stetson’s 38-26 win over Morehead State in the Pioneer Football League. He finished with a game-high-tying eight tackles (four solo), 1.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, a pass breakup and a blocked punt. His first interception came in Stetson’s end zone to deny a touchdown. He then scored on a 32-yard pick-six to help give the Hatters the lead for good 14-13. He later blocked a punt in MSU territory and two plays later, Stetson turned it into a touchdown.
Honorable Mention: Armon Bailey, LB, Sacramento State; Kory Chapman, DB, Austin Peay; Donte’ Daniels, LB, Southeastern Louisiana; BJ Davis, LB, South Carolina State; Darnell Deas, DB, Berthune-Cookman; Mike DeNucci, LB, Lehigh; Woo Governor, DB, Northern Iowa; Myles Harden, CB, South Dakota; Robby Hauck, S, Montana; Ernest Howard, LB, Sacred Heart; Elijawah Tolbert, LB, Eastern Illinois; Scott Valentas, LB, Columbia

FedEx Ground FCS National Freshman Player of the Week
Mason Kaplan, Valparaiso, QB, R-Fr., 6-3, 220, Peachtree Corners, Georgia
After entering the game with Valpo trailing 14-0, Kaplan helped the Beacons knock off defending PFL co-champion San Diego 28-21 – just their second win in the series since 2003. Kaplan scored on a two-yard run midway through the second quarter and passed for two- and 44-yard touchdowns in the second half. He finished with 146 yards of total offense, completing four of six passes.
Honorable Mention: Vinson Davis, WR/RS, Charleston Southern; Sam Franklin, RB, UT Martin; Gevani McCoy, QB, Idaho; Joshua Pitsenberger, RB, Yale