WKU Player of the Week: football wide receiver Jonathan Stafford Jr.

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – This week’s WKU Athletics Player of the Week winner is wide receiver Jonathan Stafford Jr. with Hilltopper football!

In Western’s 34-13 win over Missouri State last Thursday evening, the true freshman from Auburn, Georgia caught six passes for 72 yards, one of those being his first collegiate touchdown.

His efforts have earned him Conference USA Freshman of the Week honors each of the last three weeks.

Stafford has led the Tops receiving room all season ranking first in receptions (36) and yards (332).

With 36 catches through six games, he sits tied for fourth in WKU football history for receptions as a freshman, sitting even with Jake Gaebler and Marvis Parrish and trailing only Jack Doyle (37), Easton Messer (42), and Malachi Corley (73).

Stafford also ranks third among FBS freshmen in that same category.

The first-year star is making quite the immediate impression on Hilltopper football, and he spoke after his performance versus the Bears last week about his role on the team.

“ I just thank my coaches for preparing me for these moments and giving that trust to me. It comes with a lot of responsibility, but I’m making sure I’m doing everything that I can to make sure I’m ready for every situation,” Stafford said. “From punt returns to perimeter blocking to running routes, I’m just trying to make sure that I can do whatever I can to put my team in the best position to win.”