As a Stats Perform FCS Top 25 media poll voter and national awards voter, I think it’s important to be transparent about my voting and reasoning.
I’ll publish my weekly Top 25 ballot every Sunday or Monday, and I’ll also provide a couple of updates during the season on who I have my eye on for major awards like the Walter Payton Award (FCS Offensive Player of the Year) and the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS Defensive Player of the Year).
Here are my preseason favorites for the Buck Buchanan Award.
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1. William & Mary OLB John Pius
Pius had an incredible 2022 season, enjoying a breakout year and plenty of accolades. He was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year, earned seven different First Team All-American honors, and finished second in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award.
The 6-foot-2, 235-pound outside linebacker racked up 72 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, and 12 pass breakups. He’s just a junior this fall, but the NFL Draft hype is already underway.
2. Holy Cross LB Jacob Dobbs
Dobbs is an elite linebacker returning from a 2022 injury. He now looks to become a four-time All-American.
Dobbs’ high-level play dates back to 2019 when he totaled 93 tackles, seven sacks, and 12 tackles for loss as a true freshman. In four games in the 2021 spring season, he had 41 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, and one sack. The 2021 fall was a special one. The 6-foot, 237-pounder tallied an impressive 137 tackles, 17.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks, six quarterback hurries, and three pass breakups. Expect Dobbs to remind the FCS who he is in 2023.
3. Central Arkansas DE David Walker
Walker finished third in the 2022 Buck Buchanan Award voting. He absolutely got after offensive lines after transferring from D2 Southern Arkansas University. The 6-foot-3, 265-pounder totaled 66 tackles, 22 TFLs, 12 sacks, and three quarterback hurries.
Walker led FCS edge defenders with his 92.9 overall defensive grade on PFF and his 91.9 run-defense grade. He finished fourth with a 91.5 pass-rush grade.
The ASUN Defensive Player of the Year also earned seven different All-American honors. Oh, and he was just a sophomore in 2022.
4. South Dakota State LB Adam Bock
Bock looks to return to his 2021 form when he was one of the most dominant FCS forces at linebacker. Injuries slowed him down some in 2022, where in 11 of SDSU’s 15 games he notched 76 tackles, 7.5 TFLs, and four sacks to be named a back-to-back All-MVFC First Team selection.
In the 2021 spring, Bock had 74 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, and two sacks in 10 games. The 2021 fall was when the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder became an FCS household name, totaling 125 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, eight passes defended, and two forced fumbles.
5. NC Central S Khalil Baker
Baker makes plays defending the run and the pass. He’s set for an elite 2023 season as the top defensive back in the FCS.
Last season, Baker recorded 61 tackles, two TFLs, four interceptions, and five pass breakups. The 6-foot, 185-pounder was named to four different All-American teams, was voted the MEAC Defensive Player of the Year, and earned the Celebration Bowl Defensive MVP. He’ll be on more radars this fall for the Buchanan voting after finishing 24th last year.
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