NORMAL, Ill. – Following another stellar season at middle linebacker for Illinois State, junior captain Tye Niekamp has been named as one of 30 finalists for the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football by Stats Perform.
The award, 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 Illinois State's own Zeke Vandenburgh in 2022.