As a voter in the FCS Top 25 media poll, I also get the honor of voting for the year-end FCS offensive, defensive, freshman, and coach of the year awards.
Voting happens after the regular season, so the playoffs aren’t taken into consideration. Voters vote for their Top 5 out of a pool of candidates.
Now at the midway point of the season, here is how I’d currently vote for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the best FCS defensive player:
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1. Montana LB Patrick O’Connell
Montana owns arguably the best defense in the FCS, highlighted by its controlled chaos and relentless pressure on opposing offenses. O’Connell stars on that unit, used as an edge rusher and as a traditional linebacker. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder impacts the game in a multitude of ways and has totaled 42 tackles, nine TFLs, seven sacks, one interception, two passes defended, and one forced fumble in five games.
2. William & Mary OLB John Pius
Preseason All-American defensive lineman Nate Lynn grabs the attention of opposing offenses, but now they also have to always account for where Pius is. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder has played a huge role in W&M’s national ascent into a No. 11 ranking. He started this season in the Tribe’s dominating win against FBS Charlotte with nine tackles, 4.5 TFLs, and 1.5 sacks. Through six games, he has totaled 40 tackles and FCS-highs 14.5 TFLs and 9.5 sacks.
3. South Dakota State LB Adam Bock
SDSU’s defense has been the story of the season so far for the No. 2-ranked Jackrabbits. There’s arguably no better player to patrol the middle of the field than Bock. His closing speed is scary. And the 6-foot-1, 215-pounder always seems to be around the ball. Including a 13-tackle performance against Iowa, Bock has totaled 50 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, three sacks, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and a QB hurry in six games.
4. Delaware LB Johnny Buchanan
Buchanan has been a tackling machine as the Blue Hens have emerged as a top CAA contender. The 6-foot, 230-pounder is a sturdy presence in the middle, as evident in his 23-tackle showing to stuff Navy’s rushing attack for an FBS win. Through six games, Buchanan leads the FCS with 78 tackles, 14 more than No. 2, and has recorded 3.5 TFLs.
5. Illinois State LB Zeke Vandenburgh
Vandenburgh has been disrupting offenses all season, starting with 10 tackles, one TFL, and one sack at Wisconsin. Through five games, the 6-foot-3 and 235-pounder has racked up 52 tackles, 11.5 TFLs, seven sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three QB hurries, and two pass breakups. His 2.3 TFLs per game ranks second in the FCS, and Vandenburgh’s 92.4 pass rush grade on PFF is the highest in the subdivision.
