NORMAL, Ill. – Two of Illinois State's best have earned a spot among the best defenders in the FCS, as juniors Tye Niekamp and Jake Anderson have been named to the Stats Perform 30-player preseason watch list for the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
The award, now in its 31st season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past Buchanan recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and last year's winner David Walker of Central Arkansas.