VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State graduate student linebacker Joko Willis was named Gulf South Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday.  This is the first weekly honor of the season for Willis and is the fifth different Blazer to earn GSC weekly honors this season.
 
A native of LaGrange, Ga., Willis helped the top-ranked Blazers remain undefeated on the year with a 49-20 win over Delta State in Cleveland, Miss. Willis recorded a blocked punt with a scoop and score to give Valdosta State a 14-0 first quarter lead.  The block punt was the second of the season for the Blazers and the first returned for a touchdown since 2022. Willis is the first Blazer to claim the GSC weekly special team honors since former Blazer kicker Estin Thiele on Nov. 13, 2023.
 
In the game Saturday, Willis finished with four total tackles including two solo stops.  This season, he has played in all nine games with 15 total tackles, including nine solo stops.  Willis has 3.5 tackles for loss for 20 yards and two sacks for 18 yards, along with one hurry and the blocked kick for the touchdown.
 
The top-ranked Blazers host No. 16 West Florida on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium for Senior Night.