Twenty-five finalists were announced on Monday for the 2021 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, now in its 27th season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame defensive lineman. Past recipients include two-time winner Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen.
The Buck Buchanan Award finalists:
Brevin Allen, DE, Campbell (Big South)
Statistics: 44 tackles (26 solo), 17.5 TFL (63 yards), 9.5 sacks, 6 QBH, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU (11 games)
Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State (Big Sky)
Statistics: 111 tackles (57 solo), 9.5 TFL (33 yards), 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 PBU, 1 FR, 1 QBH, 1 TD (11 games)
Kelechi Anyalebechi, LB, UIW (Southland)
Statistics: 112 tackles (67 solo), 8.5 TFL (38 yards), 4 sacks, 2 INTs, 4 PBU, 4 FF, 1 FR, 3 QBH (11 games)
Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M (SWAC)
Statistics: 79 tackles (55 solo), 6.5 TFL (41 yards), 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 4 FF (10 games)
Adam Bock, LB, South Dakota State (MVFC)
Statistics: 100 tackles (55 solo), 9 TFL (29 yards), 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 2 FF, 1 QBH, 1 BK (11 games)
Isaiah Chambers, DE, McNeese (Southland)
Statistics: 59 tackles (39 solo), 15.5 TFL (94 yards), 10.5 sacks, 3 PBU, 13 QBH, 5 FF (11 games)
Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross (Patriot)
Statistics: 112 tackles (59 solo), 15 TFL (65 yards), 8 sacks, 3 PBU, 6 QBH (11 games)
Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State (MEAC)
Statistics: 37 tackles (29 solo), 1 TFL (1 yard), 3 INTs, 11 PBU, 2 QBH (11 games)
Justin Ford, CB, Montana (Big Sky)
Statistics: 33 tackles (22 solo), 2 TFL (8 yards), 1 sack, 8 INTs, 8 PBU, 2 FR, 1 FF, 1 QBH, 2 TDs (11 games)
James Houston, DE, Jackson State (SWAC)
Statistics: 59 tackles (44 solo), 20.5 TFL (125 yards), 14.5 sacks, 8 QBH, 7 FF, 2 FR, 1 TD (11 games)
Matthew Jackson, LB, Eastern Kentucky (AQ7)
Statistics: 102 tackles (57 solo), 11 TFL (51 yards), 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 6 PBU, 2 FF, 6 QBH (11 games)
Darius Joiner, S, Western Illinois (MVFC)
Statistics: 142 tackles (79 solo), 7 TFL (30 yards), 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FF, 3 QBH (11 games)
Jahari Kay, DE, Sam Houston (AQ7)
Statistics: 30 tackles (18 solo), 11 TFL (42 yards), 5 sacks, 10 QBH, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD (10 games)
Isaiah Land, LB, Florida A&M (SWAC)
Statistics: 43 tackles (32 solo), 25.5 TFL (147 yards), 19 sacks, 2 PBU, 3 FF, 1 FR (11 games)
Titus Leo, LB, Wagner (Northeast)
Statistics: 71 tackles (48 solo), 18.5 TFL (86 yards), 7 sacks, 1 PBU, 3 QBH, 1 BK (11 games)
Nate Lynn, DE, William & Mary (CAA)
Statistics: 52 tackles (29 solo), 13.5 TFL (61 yards), 12 sacks, 2 PBU, 5 QBH, 6 FF (11 games)
Jalen Mackie, LB, Dartmouth (Ivy)
Statistics: 86 tackles (49 solo), 8 TFL (28 yards), 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 3 QBH (9 games)
Devonnsha Maxwell, DE, Chattanooga (Southern)
Statistics: 42 tackles (28 solo), 15.5 TFL (66 yards), 12 sacks, 5 QBH, 1 FF (11 games)
Shaundre Mims, DL, Charleston Southern (Big South)
Statistics: 58 tackles (26 solo), 16.5 TFL (78 yards), 8 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 7 QBH (11 games)
Patrick O’Connell, LB, Montana (Big Sky)
Statistics: 91 tackles (40 solo), 19.5 TFL (121 yards), 13 sacks, 5 QBH, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD (11 games)
Koby Perry, S, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Statistics: 85 tackles (51 solo), 8 TFL (29 yards), 1 sack, 2 INTs, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 3 QBH, 1 TD (11 games)
Forrest Rhyne, LB, Villanova (CAA)
Statistics: 110 tackles (35 solo), 5.5 TFL (22 yards), 2.5 sacks, 4 QBH, 1 FR (11 games)
Stone Snyder, LB, VMI (Southern)
Statistics: 120 tackles (49 solo), 11 TFL (36 yards), 4 sacks, 5 QBH, 3 FR (11 games)
Vaughn Taylor Jr., DE Morehead State (Pioneer)
Statistics: 71 tackles (30 solo), 23.5 TFL (81 yards), 10.5 sacks, 15 QBH, 1 FF, 1 BK (10 games)
Jeremiah Tyler, LB, Princeton (Ivy)
Statistics: 58 tackles (49 solo), 7 TFL (35 yards), 2 sacks, 6 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR, 1 TD (10 games)
A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner, who will be announced on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.
Also this season, 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.