30 FCS Defensive Stars Nominated for 2025 Buck Buchanan Award

The Buck Buchanan Award recognizes the top defensive player in FCS college football. In 2025, the award celebrates its 31st season, with 30 finalists nominated for this prestigious honor. This award is named after Junious “Buck” Buchanan, a Hall of Fame defensive lineman who played for Grambling State. Previous winners include notable players like Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, and Jared Allen.

David Walker from Central Arkansas was the previous year’s recipient. Notably, this year features representation from all 13 FCS conferences among the finalists. The winner will be determined by a national voting panel and announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on January 3 in Nashville, Tennessee.

2025 Buck Buchanan Award Finalists

Defensive Linemen

• Lando Brown, Southern Utah, R-Sr., 5-11, 215
  – 55 tackles (30 solo), 18.0 TFL, 14.0 sacks, 11 QBH (11 games)
• David Hoage, West Georgia, Grad, 6-3, 250
  – 62 tackles (33 solo), 20.0 TFL, 8.5 sacks, 7 QBH, 3 FF (11 games)
• Robert Holz, Gardner-Webb, Sr., 6-3, 255
  – 53 tackles (23 solo), 16.5 TFL, 11.0 sacks, 11 QBH (12 games)
• Quincy Ivory, Jackson State, Sr., 6-3, 239
  – 64 tackles (31 solo), 13.5 TFL, 6.0 sacks, 1 INT, 1 FR (11 games)
• Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., 6-3, 280
  – 38 tackles (17 solo), 12.0 TFL, 8.0 sacks (12 games)
• Jacob Psyk, UC Davis, Grad, 6-3, 265
  – 46 tackles (34 solo), 15.0 TFL, 9.0 sacks, 5 QBH (11 games)
• Joshua Stoneking, Furman, R-So., 6-3, 264
  – 79 tackles (42 solo), 23.0 TFL, 14.5 sacks, 2 FF (12 games)
• Andrew Zock, Mercer, So., 6-2, 250
  – 41 tackles (23 solo), 20.0 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 3 PBU (11 games)

Linebackers

• Sean Allison, Drake, Sr., 6-0, 235
  – 120 tackles (59 solo), 8.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks (11 games)
• Luke Banbury, William & Mary, Grad, 6-2, 230
  – 137 tackles (70 solo), 5.5 TFL (12 games)
• James Conway, Fordham, Grad, 6-2, 235
  – 159 tackles (72 solo), 8.0 TFL, 5.0 sacks (12 games)
• Theron Gaines, Tennessee Tech, Sr., 6-1, 237
  – 86 tackles (40 solo), 13.5 TFL, 1 INT (TD) (12 games)

Defensive Backs

• Ty Bartrum, Harvard, Sr., 6-1, 200
  – 72 tackles (20 solo), 1 FF, 1 INT (10 games)
• Kimal Clark, Indiana State, Sr., 5-10, 195
  – 145 tackles (59 solo), 2 FF, 2 FR (12 games)
• Caden Dowler, Montana State, Jr., 6-0, 205
  – 78 tackles (50 solo), 4 INT (2 TDs) (12 games)
• Jalen Jones, William & Mary, Sr., 6-0, 195
  – 39 tackles (26 solo), 2 INTs, 10 PBU (11 games)

Alongside the Buck Buchanan Award, the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show will honor several others, including the Walter Payton Award for Offensive Player of the Year and the Eddie Robinson Award for Coach of the Year. Follow El-Balad for all updates on FCS football and the awards stream on social media platforms.