Troy’s Justin Powe sweeps all 3 national defensive player of week awards

SportsTroy safety Justin Powe (6) is shown during a game vs. Missouri on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. (Troy athletics photo)Troy athletics photoBy Creg Stephenson | cstephenson@al.comTroy safety Justin Powe swept all three major national Defensive Player of the Week awards on Tuesday. The senior from Mobile was honored by the Walter Camp Foundation, Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Jim Thorpe Award organizations after his standout performance in a 24-21 overtime win over James Madison last Thursday. Powe had three interceptions — one of which he returned 37 yards for a touchdown — two pass breakups and seven tackles as the Trojans won for the first time in Harrisonburg, Va. Powe, who was also named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, set up Troy’s game-tying touchdown with his third interception of the night in the third quarter. He also broke up deep passes on the final two plays of regulation, one inside the 10-yard line and another when he stripped the ball away from JMU tight end Cole Keller in the end zone on a Hail Mary attempt.Powe is the nation’s top-rated safety with a grade of 89.9, according to Pro Football Focus. For the season, he has 53 tackles, three interceptions, three pass breakups and a forced fumble.Troy (4-4, 2-2 Sun Belt) is back home Saturday vs. first-place Louisiana Tech (6-2, 4-0). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Central at Veterans Memorial Stadium, with live-streaming via ESPN+.Creg Stephenson became college sports managing producer for AL.com in 2026. A veteran of more than 30 years as a sports writer, he is a past president of the Alabama Sports Writers Association and has won...