October has passed, and most FCS teams have played at least eight games. So if the season ended today, which candidates would lead the voting for this level's top four awards — Walter Payton Award (top offensive player), Buck Buchanan Award (top defensive player), Jerry Rice Award (top freshman) and the Eddie Robinson Award (best coaching job)?
Here, we highlight the Buck Buchanan Award.
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Fans: which sack master do you love the most? Which middle linebacker best represents the toughness of your team? We want to hear about it. We've compiled a list of the early leaders for the Buck Buchanan award and their corresponding stats. After two months of football, we want you to tell us which player you believe should be the favorite to win the highest defensive award in FCS Football!
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THE NOMINEES
| BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD (Defensive MVP) | STATS |
| Nasir Adderley, Delaware, DB | 48 tackles, 3 INTs, 1 FF, 6 PBU |
| B.J. Blunt, McNeese, DB | No. 3 in FCS w/ 15.5 TFL |
| Ryan Brady, Holy Cross, LB | 88 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 FF, 2 PBU |
| Thomas Costigan, Bryant, LB | 81 tackles, 10 TFL, 1 INT, 2 FF, 1 BLK |
| Jabril Cox, NDSU, LB | 49 tackles, 4 INTs, 3 sacks, 4 QBH, 3 PBU |
| Ahmad Gooden, Samford, DL | 10 TFL, 10 QBH, 4 PBU |
| Darin Greenfield, South Dakota, DL | 10.5 TFL, 10 QBH, 4 PBU |
| Jimmy Moreland, James Madison, DB | 4 INTs, 3 TDs, 3.5 TFL, 6 PBU, 1 FF, 1 BLK |
| Dante Olson, Montana, LB | Leads FCS w/ 119 tackles |
| Darius Royster, N.C. Central, DL | 10.5 TFL, 3 FF, 1 QBH |
| Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois, DL | 56 Tackles, 11 TFL, 4.5 sacks, 1 FF, 3 QBH |
| Isiah Swann, Dartmouth, DB | Leads Nation in INTs (7) and Total PD (15) |
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FCS AWARD WATCH:
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After two months of FCS Football, who’s the favorite to win the Buck Buchanan Award?
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