Tennessee State freshman Brenton Paul is being recognized for a performance that helped the Tigers finally break into the win column.
Paul earned Ohio Valley Conference co-Offensive Player of the Week honors after 128 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in Tennessee State’s 29-26 win over Florida A&M.
The true freshman delivered the biggest play of the afternoon in the final minute, catching a 20-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Daylin Lee with 51 seconds remaining to give the Tigers the win in Tallahassee.
Paul carried the ball 26 times for 92 yards and a touchdown while adding four receptions for 36 yards and two receiving scores.
His first touchdown came late in the opening quarter, when he caught a 4-yard pass to tie the game. He added a 1-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter before saving his biggest play for the final minute.
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The performance helped Tennessee State secure its first victory of the season.
Paul’s four total touchdowns in 2026 rank third nationally among freshmen and first among true freshmen.
For second-year Tennessee State coach Reggie Barlow, Paul’s impact has extended beyond his production with the ball.
“For a true freshman, that’s a tall task, doing it in the running game and passing game,” Barlow told The Tennessean. “The protection part doesn’t get talked about, but he’s done it there as well.”
Barlow said Paul’s workload has occasionally prompted him to consider giving the freshman a breather, but Paul has embraced the responsibility.
“For me, watching him out there sometimes, I’m like, ‘Let’s get him a break because he is a freshman,’” Barlow said. “But he welcomes it.”
Paul’s performance against Florida A&M marked the latest development in a freshman season that is quickly becoming one of the most productive starts among first-year players nationally.
