LINCOLN, Neb. – After a career-defining performance in Nebraska Wesleyan's 49-41 loss at the University of Chicago on Saturday, sophomore wide receiver Jalen Pickens was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week, the website announced Tuesday.

Pickens hauled in 13 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown against the Maroons. Six of his receptions went for first downs, including a career-long 55-yard reception. His touchdown was an 18-yard reception in the third quarter.

He finished 12 yards shy of the Nebraska Wesleyan single-game receiving record of 272 yards, set by Tim Beebe against Benedictine College in 1986. Pickens also recorded the first 100-yard receiving game of his career. His 13 receptions tied Joey McLaughlin for the most by a Prairie Wolf in a single game.

Pickens becomes the second consecutive Nebraska Wesleyan player named to the D3football.com Team of the Week, joining Hunter Hanke, who earned the honor in 2025.

Pickens joins quarterback Levi Murphey, who earned American Rivers Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors Monday after throwing for a school-record 491 yards and four touchdowns against Chicago.

Nebraska Wesleyan has a bye this weekend before returning to American Rivers Conference play Saturday, Oct. 3, against defending A-R-C champion and No. 11/18 Wartburg at 1 p.m. at Abel Stadium.