Eighteen finalists were announced on Monday for the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented to the national defensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.
The Buchanan Award, named for the legendary defensive end and in its 26th season, has watched past winners such as Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen, Arthur Moats and Kyle Emanuel move on to NFL careers.
A 40-member national media panel will select the winner from the unprecedented 2020-21 season, which has spanned the fall and spring semesters. The recipient will be announced on May 15.
Also in the next month, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
2020-21 BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD FINALISTS
Bryson Armstrong, Kennesaw State, LB, Sr. (Big South)
Statistics: 30 tackles (21 solo), 5.5 TFL for 27 yards, 1.5 sacks, 75-yard INT TD return (4 games)
Notable: 8 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks vs. Charleston Southern
Jared Brinkman, Northern Iowa, NT, Sr. (Missouri Valley)
Statistics: 38 tackles (16 solo), 9 TFL for 36 yards, 3.5 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 3 QBH (7 games)
Notable: 7 tackles in 4 of 7 games; 4.5 TFL vs. Missouri State
Colby Campbell, Presbyterian, LB, Sr. (Pioneer)
Statistics: 96 tackles (47 solo), 7 TFL for 25 yards, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 QBH, 2 PBU (7 games)
Notable: 9+ tackles in 6 of 7 games; 25 tackles, 3 TFL vs. Davidson
Isaiah Chambers, McNeese, DE, Grad (Southland)
Statistics: 32 tackles (17 solo), 14 TFL for 70 yards, 7.5 sacks, 11 QBH, 2 PBU (7 games)
Notable: 7 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks vs. Northwestern State
Chris Edmonds, Samford, DB, So. (Southern)
Statistics: 40 tackles (24 solo), 2.5 TFL for 4 yards; 2 FF, 1 FR, 4 INTs with 1 TD, 1 PBU (7 games)
Notable: 7 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs vs. Furman
Mike Greene, James Madison, DL, Sr. (CAA)
Statistics: 15 tackles (9 solo), 8 TFL for 35 yards, 2.5 sacks, 2 QBH, 2 PBU (5 games)
Notable: TFL in all 5 games; 3.5 TFL, 1 sack vs. Elon
Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham, LB, Jr. (Patriot)
Statistics: 22 tackles (11 solo), 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 PBU (2 games)
Notable: 16 tackles, 1 TFL vs. Colgate
Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State, S, So. (Ohio Valley)
Statistics: 79 tackles (39 solo), 1.5 TFL, 3 INTs, 3 PBU, 1 FR for 64-yard return, 1 QBH (11 games)
Notable: 13 tackles versus Tennessee Tech
Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay, Nickel, Sr. (Ohio Valley)
Statistics: 54 tackles (31 solo), 9.5 TFL for 28 yards, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FR, 4 QBH, 1 BK (9 games)
Notable: 7 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR versus Tennessee Tech
Storey Jackson, Prairie View A&M, LB, Sr. (SWAC)
Statistics: 50 tackles (19 solo), 8.5 TFL for 32 yards, 2 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT (3 games)
Notable: 20 tackles vs. Texas Southern, 17 vs. Grambling State
La’akea Kaho’ohanohano-Davis, Southern Utah, LB, Jr. (Big Sky)
Statistics: 57 tackles (39 solo), 9 TFL for 63 yards, 7 sacks, 2 FF, 3 QBH, 2 PBU; 131 scrimmage yards (6 games)
Notable: 11+ tackles in 3 of 6 games; 2 TFL in 4 of 6 games
Jahari Kay, Sam Houston, DE, Sr. (Southland)
Statistics: 22 tackles (10 solo), 8 TFL for 39 yards, 5.5 sacks, 4 FF, 1 FR, 1 INT, 3 QBH (6 games)
Notable: 10 tackles, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack, FF vs. Northwestern State
Titus Leo, Wagner, LB, Jr. (Northeast)
Statistics: 15 tackles (11 solo), 4 TFL for 16 yards, 2 sacks, 2 FF (2 games)
Notable: 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FF vs. Duquesne
Jordan Lewis, DE, Southern, DE, Jr. (SWAC)
Statistics: 27 tackles (17 solo), 15 TFL for 82 yards, 10.5 sacks, 1 FF (5 games)
Notable: 3+ TFL in 3 of 5 games; 4 sacks vs. Alabama State, 3 vs. Jackson State
Robert Rochell, Central Arkansas, CB, Sr. (Southland)
Statistics: 27 tackles (19 solo), 1 TFL, 1 FF, 1 FR, 3 PBU (7 games)
Notable: 2021 Senior Bowl participant
Stone Snyder, VMI, LB, So. (Southern)
Statistics: 76 tackles (25 solo), 9.5 TFL for 64 yards, 8 sacks, 4 QBH (7 games)
Notable: 21 tackles, 2 sacks vs. The Citadel; 11+ tackles in 4 of 7 games
Tre Walker, Idaho, LB, Jr. (Big Sky)
Statistics: 54 tackles (27 solo), 4.5 TFL for 42 yards, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 1 QBH, 1 PBU (4 games)
Notable: 13+ tackles in 3 of 4 games
Tristan Wheeler, Richmond, LB, So. (CAA)
Statistics: 38 tackles (16 solo), 2.5 TFL for 3 yards (4 games)
Notable: 14 tackles, 2 TFL vs. Elon; 11 tackles vs. James Madison