• Complete Buck Buchanan Award Release
Austin Peay junior safety
Koby Perry is one of 25 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented by Stats Perform to the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year.
Perry was a leader of an Austin Peay defense that finished the regular season with 19 interceptions and 26 turnovers gained, both of which ranked first in the FCS. Perry led the team with 85 tackles (51 solo) including 8.0 tackles for loss and a sack. He had two interceptions (which he returned for 103 yards), three pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble.
The Buchanan Award, now in its 27th season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame defensive lineman. The OVC has had two previous winners of the award, Jacksonville State's Darius Jackson (2017) and Southeast Missouri's Zach Hall (2018). A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner, who will be announced on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.
Also this season, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), the Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), the Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the Year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
2021 BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD FINALISTS
Brevin Allen, DE, Campbell (Big South)
Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State (Big Sky)
Kelechi Anyalebechi, LB, UIW (Southland)
Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M (SWAC)
Adam Bock, LB, South Dakota State (MVFC)
Isaiah Chambers, DE, McNeese (Southland)
Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross (Patriot)
Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State (MEAC)
Justin Ford, CB, Montana (Big Sky)
James Houston, DE, Jackson State (SWAC)
Matthew Jackson, LB, Eastern Kentucky (AQ7)
Darius Joiner, S, Western Illinois (MVFC)
Jahari Kay, DE, Sam Houston (AQ7)
Isaiah Land, LB, Florida A&M (SWAC)
Titus Leo, LB, Wagner (Northeast)
Nate Lynn, DE, William & Mary (CAA)
Jalen Mackie, LB, Dartmouth (Ivy)
Devonnsha Maxwell, DE, Chattanooga (Southern)
Shaundre Mims, DL, Charleston Southern (Big South)
Patrick O’Connell, LB, Montana (Big Sky)
Koby Perry, S, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Forrest Rhyne, LB, Villanova (CAA)
Stone Snyder, LB, VMI (Southern)
Vaughn Taylor Jr., DE Morehead State (Pioneer)
Jeremiah Tyler, LB, Princeton (Ivy)