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Three SoCon Players Named Finalists for 2025 Buck Buchanan Award
Furman's Joshua Stoneking, Mercer's Andrew Zock and Wofford's Maximus Pulley
Furman's Stoneking Named Finalist For Buck Buchanan Award
Stoneking, a 6-foot-3, 264-pound native of Raleigh, N.C., tallied a team leading 79 tackles and paced the FCS in both total tackles for loss (23.0) and sacks (14.5) this season.
He was named Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Week a league best three times this fall.
In Furman's 28-24 win over Campbell on Sept. 13 he tallied six tackles, including 4.5 for a loss of 21 yards, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. His final sack, which came on fourth down and with 16 seconds on the clock a dnd Campbell at Furman's 17-yard line, preserved the win for the Paladins.
Mercer's Zock One Of 30 Finalists For Buck Buchanan Award
Zock has totaled 41 tackles (23 solo), including a school record 20.0 tackles for loss (-109 yards), across 11 starts this season, while also turning in 22 quarterback hurries, three pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He has also logged a single season school record sack total (11.5). He has tallied multiple tackles for loss in seven outings, including a season-best 4-1/2 drops behind the line in Mercer's Week 3 win over Wofford.
The Citra, Fla., native has accumulated 34-1/2 tackles for loss (18-1/2 sacks) in two seasons and 25 games in the Orange & Black. He also boasts a school record 36 quarterback hurries.
Wofford's Maximus Pulley Named Finalist for Buck Buchanan Award
Pulley, a fifth-year senior from Fort Worth, Texas, started eleven games for the Terriers this season and is second on the team in tackles with 85. His five interceptions lead the Southern Conference and are the second-most in the nation. He returned two interceptions for touchdowns, which is tied for the most in the nation. Pulley added 2.5 tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and a blocked punt.
Pulley is the fourth Terrier to be named a finalist, joining Matt Nelson (2003), Lee Basinger (2004), and Ameet Pall (2010).