VIDEO: Rondrow Peebles Interview
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A day after picking up SAC Astroturf Player of the Week honors, Carson-Newman junior linebacker Rondrow Peebles (Knoxville, Tenn.) has been tabbed as the Tennesseee Sportswriters Association State Defensive Player of the Week.
In his first career start, Peebles tallied 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in the Eagles' 20-13 win over the Argos. His stops behind the line of scrimmage negated 28 yards for West Florida. He also broke up two passes.
"This is an award for my hard work over the summer," Peebles said. "Truthfully, though, I care more about my teammates. I'd sacrifice my body for them because I know they'd do it for me."
Peebles is the first Eagle to earn defensive player of the week honors from the league office since Alonzo Houston picked up the laurels following the Eagles' 31-14 win over Wingate on ESPN 3 on Sept. 15 last year. He is the first TSWA honoree since Desmond Fairell (Miami, Fla.) was recognized after a two-INT performance against Virginia-Lynchburg on Oct. 21, 2018. With Peebles' recognition, Carson-Newman has brought home six of the last 11 state defensive player of the week awards.
All of Peebles stats go down as career numbers. He had a combined 11 tackles in his two years with Carson-Newman prior to the West Florida game.
Nationally after week one, he ranks fifth in tackles for loss, 16th for sacks and 33rd for tackles.
As a result of his efforts, Carson-Newman's defense ranks 10th in the country in sacks, 22nd in total defense and 27th in rush defense.
Peebles and the rest of the Eagles are back in action Saturday, Sept. 21 at Wingate. Kickoff with the Bulldogs is set for 6 p.m. Pregame coverage on the Eagle Sports Network starts at 5 with the AEC Countdown to Kickoff on Joy 620 (WRJZ-AM, Knoxville), The Mountain 106.3 (WPFT-FM, Sevierville) and online at cneagles.com/live.