September has passed, and some FCS teams played as many as five games during the first stretch of the season. 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 fan vote.
[divider]COMPARE: FCS Players or FCS Teams
HERO SPORTS FCS PODCAST: Subscribe here[divider]
FCS PLAYOFFS: The Three Of Us Predict The Field
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 five weeks 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!
MCLAUGHLIN: Tennessee State Player Still In Critical Condition (Updated)
THE NOMINEES
| BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD (Defensive MVP) | STATS |
| B.J. Blunt, McNeese, DB | Leads FCS w/ 11.5 TFL; 35 tackles, 7 sacks |
| Ryan Brady, Holy Cross, LB | No. 2 in FCS w/ 62 tackles |
| Jabril Cox, NDSU, LB | 23 tackles, 2 TFL, 2 INTs, 4 PD |
| Sully Laiche, Nicholls, DL | 9 TFL, 24 tackles, 3.5 sacks (4 TFL vs Kansas) |
| Jimmy Moreland, James Madison, DB | Leads FCS w/ 4 INTs; 3 TDs |
| Dante Olson, Montana, LB | Leads FCS w/ 79 tackles |
| Nasir Player, ETSU, DL | 7.5 TFL, 22 tackles, 4.5 sacks |
| Darius Royster, N.C. Central, DL | 10 TFL ranks No. 1 in nation on per-game basis |
| Christian Rozeboom, SDSU, LB | 20 tackles, 1 TFL |
| Donte Small, Morgan State, DB | 4 INTs, 1 TD, 10 PD |
[divider]
THE OTHER FAN VOTES
The Walter Payton Award (Vote Here!)
The Jerry Rice Award (Vote Here!)
The Eddie Robinson Award (Vote Here)
[divider]
THE MEDIA VOTE
The Walter Payton Award (Media)
The Buck Buchanan Award (Media)
The Eddie Robinson Award (Media)
[divider]James Madison's Jimmy Moreland – The INT Machine[divider]
After one month of FCS Football, who’s the favorite to win the Buck Buchanan Award?
[divider]
MORE: There are Dozens of FCS Players in CFL
