5 Preseason Favorites For The 2025 Buck Buchanan Award

As a Stats Perform FCS Top 25 media poll voter and national awards voter, I believe 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 midseason update 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. These are players I’m projecting to be top finalists by the end of the season.

Last year, my No. 1 preseason pick, David Walker, ended up winning the award.

RELATED: Walter Payton Award Preseason Favorites

2025 Buck Buchanan Award Favorites

5. Morgan State LB Erick Hunter

One of my top five picks last preseason, Hunter’s year didn’t pan out as he only played two games due to injury. He eyes a big comeback season as an elite playmaker. His impact play began in 2022 when he recorded 77 tackles. He then dominated the 2023 season. The 6-foot-4 and 220-pounder made plays all over the field, racking up 75 tackles in 10 games, including 9.5 TFLs, three sacks, seven QB hurries, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions returned for a combined 60 yards. Hunter graded out as PFF’s No. 5 FCS linebacker while earning All-MEAC First Team and FCS Football Central All-American Third Team honors.

4. Mercer DE Andrew Zock

Zock was a star on Mercer’s terrific defense last year that had the No. 1 FCS rushing defense (70.8 yards allowed per game), was No. 1 in team sacks per game (3.29), and was No. 2 in team TFLs per game (8.1). As a true freshman and a 3-star recruit, he splashed instantly. The 6-foot-2 and 250-pound defensive end totaled 38 tackles, 14.5 TFLs, seven sacks, 15 QB hurries, and two forced fumbles. Zock’s accolades included SoCon Freshman of the Year, All-SoCon Second Team, FCS Freshman All-American, and finishing No. 4 in the Jerry Rice Award voting.

3. UC Davis S Rex Connors

Connors is a three-time All-Big Sky selection and a 2024 All-American. In 2022 as a redshirt freshman, Connors had 88 tackles, four TFLs, five interceptions, and five pass breakups in nine games. In 2023, he totaled 59 tackles, one interception, and six pass breakups in seven games. Last fall, Connors racked up 115 tackles despite missing three games, including 3.5 TFLs, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. His 10.5 tackles per game ranked No. 7 in the FCS.

2. Southern DE Ckelby Givens

Givens has dominated the last two seasons. He is a back-to-back All-SWAC First Team performer and a two-time All-American. After totaling 23 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks as a freshman in 2022, Givens went off in 2023. He racked up 61 tackles, 21 TFLs, and seven sacks. Last fall, the 6-foot-2 and 245-pounder tallied 73 tackles, 27.5 TFLs, 12 sacks, and 13 QB hurries. Givens was named the 2024 SWAC Defensive Player of the Year, graded out as PFF’s No. 15 FCS edge defender, and tied for sixth in the Buck Buchanan Award voting.

1. Rhode Island LB A.J. Pena

Pena is a back-to-back All-CAA selection (2023 Third Team, 2024 First Team) and a four-time 2024 FCS All-American. Pena transferred to Memphis this offseason, but then returned to Rhody. In 2022, he had 22 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. In 2023, Pena registered 59 tackles, 15.5 TFLs, nine sacks, and six QB hurries. Last season, the 6-foot-2 and 243-pounder racked up 82 tackles, 22.5 TFLs, 12.5 sacks, and five QB hurries. He finished 13th in the Buck Buchanan Award voting.