GRAND FORKS, N.D. – North Dakota EDGE rusher Lance Rucker was among 30 FCS football players named to the STATS Perform Buck Buchanan Preseason Watch List, the organization announced Tuesday.
Rucker was one of six defensive linemen selected to the preseason watch list for the award, which is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in NCAA Division I FCS football.
As a junior, Rucker totaled 64 tackles and broke the UND single-season record with an MVFC-leading 11.5 sacks. The Missouri Valley Football Conference led all 13 FCS conferences with six players represented on the watch list.
Rucker, who was named to the STATS Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team yesterday, also recorded 15 tackles for loss and an MVFC-leading four forced fumbles. He posted a career-high 11 tackles against South Dakota State on Nov. 22 and capped his junior campaign with a career-best three sacks against Tennessee Tech. He recorded multiple sacks in four games during the 2025 season.
The award, now in its 32nd season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State during his Hall of Fame career. Past Buchanan Award recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen. Mercer's Andrew Zock claimed the honor in 2025.
2026 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
Defensive Linemen
Camden Byrd, Richmond, R-Sr., 6-3, 245 (Patriot League)
Andrew Huff, Lamar, Sr., 6-2, 230 (Southland Conference)
Mirko Jaksic, Dayton, R-Jr., 6-2, 284 (Pioneer Football League)
Lance Rucker, North Dakota, Sr., 6-3, 230 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
*Joshua Stoneking, Furman, R-Jr., 6-3, 258 (Southern Conference)
Michael Wells, Youngstown State, Sr., 6-3, 250 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Linebackers
Brodie Carroll, Elon, R-Jr., 6-1, 240 (CAA Football)
Jake Dalmado, Southeastern Louisiana, Sr., 6-0, 215 (Southland Conference)
Mikey D'Amato, Cal Poly, Sr., 6-0, 230 (Big Sky Conference)
Rohan Davy, Rhode Island, Jr., 5-10, 205 (CAA Football)
*Eli Ennis, Stephen F. Austin, R-Sr., 6-2, 220 (Southland Conference)
Anthony Ferrelli, Stony Brook, R-Sr., 6-0, 225 (CAA Football)
Jordan Franklin, South Carolina State, R-Jr., 6-2, 205 (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)
Cullen McShane, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-2, 230 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
*Tye Niekamp, Illinois State, Sr., 6-3, 240 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Kaden Smith, Eastern Kentucky, Jr., 6-2, 222 (United Athletic Conference)
Peyton Wing, Montana, Sr., 6-0, 229 (Big Sky Conference)
Steve Zayachkowsky, Charleston Southern, Sr., 5-10, 215 (Ohio Valley Conference)
Defensive Backs
Rex Connors, UC Davis, Sr., 6-1, 220 (Big Sky Conference)
*Caden Dowler, Montana State, Sr., 6-0, 205 (Big Sky Conference)
Damien Henderson, Harvard, Sr., 6-0, 180 (Ivy League)
Christopher Jean, Central Connecticut State, R-Jr., 5-10, 180 (NEC Football)
Jaylon Jenkins, Eastern Washington, R-Jr., 6-1, 192 (Big Sky Conference)
Jaeden Jones, Monmouth, Jr., 6-0, 190 (CAA Football)
*Abu Kamara, Yale, Sr., 6-1, 208 (Ivy League)
Ken Moore Jr., Western Carolina, R-Sr., 5-10, 160 (Southern Conference)
Nick Peltekian, Lehigh, 5th Year, 6-0, 215 (Patriot League)
Dylan Rowsey, Murray State, Sr., 6-1, 195 (Missouri Valley Football Conference)
Ta'Shaun Sims, Alabama State, Jr., 6-0, 188 (Southwestern Athletic Conference)
Trey Watkins, LIU, R-Sr., 6-0, 184 (NEC Football)
The Buck Buchanan Award was first presented in 1995. More players can join the watch list before a national media panel selects the winner after the regular season from a group of finalists.
For more information on North Dakota football, follow on social media @UNDFootball or visit FightingHawks.com.
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