AL.comâs SEC football players of the week for Week 7

Here are AL.com’s SEC football players of the week for Week 7 of the 2023 season:

Offense

Graham Mertz, QB, Florida — Mertz — a senior from Overland Park, Kan. — had a career day in a 41-39 win over South Carolina, completing 30 of 48 passes for 423 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions. His 21-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Pearsall with 47 seconds remaining provided the winning points for the Gators.

Defense

James Pearce, DL, Tennessee — Pearce was a wrecking ball up front in a 20-13 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday. The sophomore from Charlotte totaled three tackles, two tackles for a loss, a sack and five quarterback hurries as the Volunteers improved to 5-1 this season.

Special teams

Dee Williams, PR, Tennessee — Williams touched the ball only twice on Saturday vs. Texas A&M, but his one big play made the difference in a 20-13 victory. The senior from Forsyth, Ga., gathered in a short punt and raced 39 yards for a touchdown to put the Volunteers up to stay at 14-10 midway through the third quarter.

Others of note …

Offense: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU; Daijun Edwards, RB, Georgia; Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida; Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee

Defense: Kris Abrams-Draine, DB, Missouri; Landon Jackson, LB, Arkansas; Harold Perkins, LB, LSU; Princely Umanmielen, DE, Florida

Special teams: James Burnip, P, Alabama; Max Fletcher, P, Arkansas; Marquis Johnson, WR/KR, Missouri; Cam Little, K, Arkansas

Previous winners

Week 1

Offense: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss

Defense: Jaylin Simpson, DB, Auburn

Special teams: Barion Brown, KR, Kentucky

Week 2

Offense: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

Defense: Jett Johnson, LB, Mississippi State