Three SoCon Players Named to Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List

Mercer's Zock Named To Buck Buchanan Award Watch List

The native of Citra, Fla., Zock was a finalist for the 2024 Jerry Rice Award (top freshman player in FCS) last season after starting all 14 games at defensive end while amassing 38 tackles (21 solo), including 14-1/2 tackles for loss (-77 yards). He also logged seven sacks (-58 yards), two forced fumbles and a pair of pass break-ups, while also registering a school record 15 quarterback hurries as well.

Samford’s Perkins Named To Watch List For Buck Buchanan Award

Earlier this month Perkins was also named preseason All-American by Stats Perform.
 
Perkins is entering his first season at Samford after transferring from Fordham where he was a three-year starter. Last season, he was named second team All-American by Blue Blood FCS Central. He also earned first team All-ECAC and All-Patriot League honors.
 
During the 2024 season, Perkins intercepted five passes, including a pair of games with two interceptions each. His five interceptions were tied for the most in the Patriot League. He tallied 56 total tackles, including 5.0 tackles for loss.

C.J. Coombes Placed on Buck Buchanan Award Watch List

Coombes, a sophomore from Bellefonte, Delaware, started all 12 games last season at safety. He finished second on the team in tackles with 88 and added five tackles for loss and an interception to earn SoCon All-Freshman team honors. He was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award and finished 11th in the voting. He was named to the FCS Freshman All-America teams by Stats Perform, FCS Central and Phil Steele. During the 2025 preseason he has earned second team All-America and first team All-SoCon honors.

Stats Perform 2025 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List Full Story