CHICAGO – Chattanooga defensive lineman Devonnsha Maxwell is among 11 student-athletes across the FCS added to the 2021 Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award watch list Wednesday.
 
The award is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.
 
The Buchanan Award, now in its 27th season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame defensive lineman. Past recipients include two-time winner Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen.
 
Maxwell leads the Southern Conference and ranks fourth in the FCS with 1.22 sacks per game and 11th in tackles for loss per game (1.6).
 
He joins three SoCon players who were named to the initial watch list: The Citadel’s Willie Eubanks III, Samford’s Chris Edmonds and VMI’s Stone Snyder, who finished third in voting for the Buchanan Award last season.
 
The original watch list in the preseason included 35 players. A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner following the regular season.
 
Also this season, Stats Perform will present the Walter Payton Award (FCS offensive player of the year), Jerry Rice Award (FCS freshman player of the year), Eddie Robinson Award (FCS coach of the year) and Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

For Stats Perform's full release, click here.
 
Buck Buchanan Award midseason additions
Defensive Line
Brevin Allen, Campbell
Nate Lynn, William & Mary
Devonnsha Maxwell, Chattanooga
Clay Patterson, Yale
Vaughn Taylor Jr., Morehead State
 
Linebacker
Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross
Matthew Jackson, Eastern Kentucky
Isaiah Land, Florida A&M
Jalen Mackie, Dartmouth
Patrick O’Connell, Montana
 
Defensive Back
Darius Joiner, Western Illinois