Stats Perform Names Edmonds To Preseason Watch List For Buck Buchanan Award
8.5.21 | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford safety Chris Edmonds was named to the preseason Watch List for the Buck Buchanan Award, which goes to the top defensive player in all of FCS football, Stats Perform announced Thursday morning.
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Earlier this week, Edmonds was named to the Stats Perform preseason second team All-America team. Last week, he earned first team preseason All-SoCon honors.
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During the spring 2021 campaign, Edmonds, who entered the season as a walk-on, had a break-out season. Edmonds led the SoCon and tied for third in the nation in total interceptions with four. He also led the league and ranked 13th nationally in interceptions per game at 0.6. Edmonds ranked third on the team with 40 total tackles, including 24 solo stops.
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He was involved in forcing six turnovers in Samford's first four games of the seven-game spring season. Edmonds forced a fumble and recovered it at ETSU. He then had an interception against Western Carolina, two interceptions at Furman, and an interception and a forced fumble against Wofford.
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Edmonds was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week twice (Mar. 8 and Mar. 15), and he was tabbed as the league's Defensive Player of the Month for March. He was named first team All-SoCon, and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Edmonds also earned first team All-America honors at the end of the 2021 spring season.
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A total of 35 players were named to the preseason Watch List. More players can join the list during the regular season, and a national media panel will select the winner following it. The Buchanan Award was first given out in 1995, with Dexter Coakley winning the first two years, but there has not been a two-time recipient since.
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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.
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Samford will open the 2021 fall season by hosting Tennessee Tech on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Seibert Stadium. Season tickets are on sale at the following link:Â PURCHASE TICKETS.
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For the latest news and information on Samford football, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter).Â
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2021 BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
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Defensive Linemen
Jared Brinkman, Northern Iowa (2020-21 finalist)
Isaiah Chambers, McNeese (2020-21 finalist)
DJ Coleman, Jacksonville State
Mike Greene, James Madison (2020-21 finalist)
Malik Hamm, Lafayette
Jahari Kay, Sam Houston (2020-21 finalist)
Jordan Lewis, Southern (2020-21 recipient)
Shaundre Mims, Charleston Southern
Kobie Turner, Richmond
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Linebackers
Troy Andersen, Montana State
Logan Backhaus, South Dakota State
Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham (2020-21 finalist)
Willie Eubanks III, The Citadel (2019 finalist)
Tre Jones, Central Connecticut State
James Kaczor, North Dakota State
La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis, Southern Utah (2020-21 finalist)
Titus Leo, Wagner (2020-21 finalist)
Jace Lewis, Montana
Forrest Rhyne, Villanova
Stone Snyder, VMI (2020-21 finalist)
Jeremiah Tyler, Princeton
Tre Walker, Idaho (2020-21 finalist)
Tristan Wheeler, Richmond (2020-21 finalist)
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Defensive Backs
Anthony Adams, Portland State (2019 finalist)
Markquese Bell, Florida A&M
Qua Brown, Southern Illinois
Anthony Budd, Monmouth
Decobie Durant, South Carolina State
Brandon Easterling, Dayton (2019 finalist)
Chris Edmonds, Samford (2020-21 finalist)
Marcis Floyd, Murray State
Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State (2020-21 finalist)
Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay (2019 and 2020-21 finalist)
Ferlando Jordan, Southeastern Louisiana
Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston
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Earlier this week, Edmonds was named to the Stats Perform preseason second team All-America team. Last week, he earned first team preseason All-SoCon honors.
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During the spring 2021 campaign, Edmonds, who entered the season as a walk-on, had a break-out season. Edmonds led the SoCon and tied for third in the nation in total interceptions with four. He also led the league and ranked 13th nationally in interceptions per game at 0.6. Edmonds ranked third on the team with 40 total tackles, including 24 solo stops.
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He was involved in forcing six turnovers in Samford's first four games of the seven-game spring season. Edmonds forced a fumble and recovered it at ETSU. He then had an interception against Western Carolina, two interceptions at Furman, and an interception and a forced fumble against Wofford.
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Edmonds was named the SoCon Defensive Player of the Week twice (Mar. 8 and Mar. 15), and he was tabbed as the league's Defensive Player of the Month for March. He was named first team All-SoCon, and was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Edmonds also earned first team All-America honors at the end of the 2021 spring season.
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A total of 35 players were named to the preseason Watch List. More players can join the list during the regular season, and a national media panel will select the winner following it. The Buchanan Award was first given out in 1995, with Dexter Coakley winning the first two years, but there has not been a two-time recipient since.
Â
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.
Â
Samford will open the 2021 fall season by hosting Tennessee Tech on Thursday, Sept. 2 at Seibert Stadium. Season tickets are on sale at the following link:Â PURCHASE TICKETS.
Â
For the latest news and information on Samford football, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordFootball (Facebook), @SamfordFootball (Instagram) and @SamfordFootball (Twitter).Â
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2021 BUCK BUCHANAN AWARD PRESEASON WATCH LIST
Â
Defensive Linemen
Jared Brinkman, Northern Iowa (2020-21 finalist)
Isaiah Chambers, McNeese (2020-21 finalist)
DJ Coleman, Jacksonville State
Mike Greene, James Madison (2020-21 finalist)
Malik Hamm, Lafayette
Jahari Kay, Sam Houston (2020-21 finalist)
Jordan Lewis, Southern (2020-21 recipient)
Shaundre Mims, Charleston Southern
Kobie Turner, Richmond
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Linebackers
Troy Andersen, Montana State
Logan Backhaus, South Dakota State
Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham (2020-21 finalist)
Willie Eubanks III, The Citadel (2019 finalist)
Tre Jones, Central Connecticut State
James Kaczor, North Dakota State
La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis, Southern Utah (2020-21 finalist)
Titus Leo, Wagner (2020-21 finalist)
Jace Lewis, Montana
Forrest Rhyne, Villanova
Stone Snyder, VMI (2020-21 finalist)
Jeremiah Tyler, Princeton
Tre Walker, Idaho (2020-21 finalist)
Tristan Wheeler, Richmond (2020-21 finalist)
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Defensive Backs
Anthony Adams, Portland State (2019 finalist)
Markquese Bell, Florida A&M
Qua Brown, Southern Illinois
Anthony Budd, Monmouth
Decobie Durant, South Carolina State
Brandon Easterling, Dayton (2019 finalist)
Chris Edmonds, Samford (2020-21 finalist)
Marcis Floyd, Murray State
Nicario Harper, Jacksonville State (2020-21 finalist)
Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay (2019 and 2020-21 finalist)
Ferlando Jordan, Southeastern Louisiana
Zyon McCollum, Sam Houston
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Players Mentioned
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