McCollum, Kay named to Buck Buchanan Award watch list

HUNTSVILLE – Sam Houston defensive lineman Jahari Kay and cornerback Zyon McCollum were each named to the Buck Buchanan Award watch list on Thursday, per a release from Stats Perform.

The award is given out to the top defensive player in the FCS each season. Kay was a finalist for the award during the 2020-21 season, while this is the first time for McCollum to land on the watch list.

Only three schools – Sam Houston, Richmond and Jacksonville State – had multiple players named to the list. Each player would be looking to become the first Bearkat in program history to earn the award.

More players can join the list during the regular season, and a national media panel will select the winner following it. Dexter Coakley won the inaugural Buchanan in 1995 and repeated a year later, but there hasn't been a 2-time recipient since, although past winners Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and Arthur Moats joined Coakley with excellent NFL careers.

Southern's Jordan Lewis won the award for the 2020-21 season and is back this year for the Jaguars after ranking at the top of the FCS in both sack and tackles for loss last season.

Also, this season, Stats Perform will present the Buck Buchanan Award (FCS defensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman of the year), Eddie Robinson (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

WALTER PAYTON AWARD WATCH LIST
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Jared Brinkman - Northern Iowa (2020-21 finalist)
Isaiah Chambers - McNeese (2020-21 finalist)
DJ Coleman - Jacksonville State
Mike Greene - James Madison (2020-21 finalist)
Malik Hamm - Lafayette
Jahari Kay - Sam Houston (2020-21 finalist)
Jordan Lewis - Southern (2020-21 recipient)
Shaundre Mims - Charleston Southern
Kobie Turner – Richmond

LINEBACKERS
Troy Andersen - Montana State
Logan Backhaus - South Dakota State
Ryan Greenhagen - Fordham (2020-21 finalist)
Willie Eubanks III - The Citadel (2019 finalist)
Tre Jones - Central Connecticut State
James Kaczor - North Dakota State
La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis - Southern Utah (2020-21 finalist)
Titus Leo - Wagner (2020-21 finalist)
Jace Lewis - Montana
Forrest Rhyne - Villanova
Stone Snyder - VMI (2020-21 finalist)
Jeremiah Tyler - Princeton
Tre Walker - Idaho (2020-21 finalist)
Tristan Wheeler - Richmond (2020-21 finalist)

DEFENSIVE BACKS
Anthony Adams - Portland State (2019 finalist)
Markquese Bell - Florida A&M
Qua Brown - Southern Illinois
Anthony Budd - Monmouth
Decobie Durant - South Carolina State
Brandon Easterling - Dayton (2019 finalist)
Chris Edmonds - Samford (2020-21 finalist)
Marcis Floyd - Murray State
Nicario Harper - Jacksonville State (2020-21 finalist)
Kordell Jackson - Austin Peay (2019 and 2020-21 finalist)
Ferlando Jordan - Southeastern Louisiana
Zyon McCollum - Sam Houston

McCollum, Kay named to Buck Buchanan Award watch list

Players Mentioned

Jahari Kay

Zyon McCollum

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