CHICAGO – McNeese defensive end Isaiah Chambers, a fourth-place finisher for the 2020-21 Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award, has been named a finalist for the 2021 accolade as the top defensive player in the FCS.
 
Chambers, who just completed his second and final season with the Cowboys, is one of 25 players named to the finalist list and one of only two from the Southland Conference.
 
The Houston native led the Southland Conference in sacks and tackles for a loss for the second straight season, recording 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss this year. His sack total ranked him tied for 11^th nationally while his TFL total has him ranked 17^th in the FCS.
 
The defending SLC and Louisiana Defensive Player of the Year, Chambers recorded 18 career sacks in 18 games played as a Cowboy. His career total ranks him tied for sixth in school history while being the only player in history to average a sack a game.
 
His fourth-place finish in the voting for the Buchanan Award last spring matches the third-highest finish for the national honor by a Cowboy player. In 2002, Hadley Prince finished second; in 2003, Roderick Royal finished fourth and in 2007, Bryan Smith placed third.
 
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.
 
A 50-member, national media panel will select the winner, who will be announced on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.
 
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.
 
The Buck Buchanan Award finalists:
 
Brevin Allen, DE, Campbell (Big South)
Statistics: 44 tackles (26 solo), 17.5 TFL (63 yards), 9.5 sacks, 6 QBH, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 PBU (11 games)
 
Troy Andersen, LB, Montana State (Big Sky)
Statistics: 111 tackles (57 solo), 9.5 TFL (33 yards), 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 7 PBU, 1 FR, 1 QBH, 1 TD (11 games) 
 
Kelechi Anyalebechi, LB, UIW (Southland)
Statistics: 101 tackles (58 solo), 5.5 TFL (34 yards), 3.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 4 PBU, 4 FF, 1 FR, 3 QBH (10 games)
 
Markquese Bell, S, Florida A&M (SWAC)
Statistics: 79 tackles (55 solo), 6.5 TFL (41 yards), 2 sacks, 1 INT, 1 PBU, 4 FF (10 games)
 
Adam Bock, LB, South Dakota State (MVFC)
Statistics: 100 tackles (55 solo), 9 TFL (29 yards), 2.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 2 FF, 1 QBH, 1 BK (11 games)
 
Isaiah Chambers, DE, McNeese (Southland)
Statistics: 59 tackles (39 solo), 15.5 TFL (94 yards), 10.5 sacks, 3 PBU, 13 QBH, 5 FF (11 games)
 
Jacob Dobbs, LB, Holy Cross (Patriot)
Statistics: 112 tackles (59 solo), 15 TFL (65 yards), 8 sacks, 3 PBU, 6 QBH (11 games)
 
Decobie Durant, CB, South Carolina State (MEAC)
Statistics: 37 tackles (29 solo), 1 TFL (1 yard), 3 INTs, 11 PBU, 2 QBH (11 games)
 
Justin Ford, CB, Montana (Big Sky)
Statistics: 33 tackles (22 solo), 2 TFL (8 yards), 1 sack, 8 INTs, 8 PBU, 2 FR, 1 FF, 1 QBH, 2 TDs (11 games)
 
James Houston, DE, Jackson State (SWAC)
Statistics: 59 tackles (44 solo), 20.5 TFL (125 yards), 14.5 sacks, 8 QBH, 7 FF, 2 FR, 1 TD (11 games)
 
Matthew Jackson, LB, Eastern Kentucky (AQ7)
Statistics: 102 tackles (57 solo), 11 TFL (51 yards), 3.5 sacks, 1 INT, 6 PBU, 2 FF, 1 FR, 6 QBH (11 games)
 
Darius Joiner, S, Western Illinois (MVFC)
Statistics: 142 tackles (79 solo), 7 TFL (30 yards), 1.5 sacks, 1 INT, 5 PBU, 1 FF, 3 QBH (11 games)
 
Jahari Kay, DE, Sam Houston (AQ7)
Statistics: 30 tackles (18 solo), 11 TFL (42 yards), 5 sacks, 10 QBH, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD (10 games)
 
Isaiah Land, LB, Florida A&M (SWAC)
Statistics: 43 tackles (32 solo), 25.5 TFL (147 yards), 19 sacks, 2 PBU, 3 FF, 1 FR (11 games)
 
Titus Leo, LB, Wagner (Northeast)
Statistics: 71 tackles (48 solo), 18.5 TFL (86 yards), 7 sacks, 1 PBU, 3 QBH, 1 BK (11 games)
 
Nate Lynn, DE, William & Mary (CAA)
Statistics: 52 tackles (29 solo), 13.5 TFL (61 yards), 12 sacks, 2 PBU, 5 QBH, 6 FF (11 games)
 
Jalen Mackie, LB, Dartmouth (Ivy)
Statistics: 86 tackles (49 solo), 8 TFL (28 yards), 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 PBU, 3 QBH (9 games)
 
Devonnsha Maxwell, DE, Chattanooga (Southern)
Statistics: 42 tackles (28 solo), 15.5 TFL (66 yards), 12 sacks, 5 QBH, 1 FF (11 games)
 
Shaundre Mims, DL, Charleston Southern (Big South)
Statistics: 58 tackles (26 solo), 16.5 TFL (78 yards), 8 sacks, 1 INT, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 7 QBH (11 games)
 
Patrick O'Connell, LB, Montana (Big Sky)
Statistics: 91 tackles (40 solo), 19.5 TFL (121 yards), 13 sacks, 5 QBH, 3 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD (11 games)
 
Koby Perry, S, Austin Peay (Ohio Valley)
Statistics: 85 tackles (51 solo), 8 TFL (29 yards), 1 sack, 2 INTs, 3 PBU, 1 FF, 3 QBH, 1 TD (11 games)
 
Forrest Rhyne, LB, Villanova (CAA)
Statistics: 110 tackles (35 solo), 5.5 TFL (22 yards), 2.5 sacks, 4 QBH, 1 FR (11 games)
 
Stone Snyder, LB, VMI (Southern)
Statistics: 120 tackles (49 solo), 11 TFL (36 yards), 4 sacks, 5 QBH, 3 FR (11 games)
 
Vaughn Taylor Jr., DE Morehead State (Pioneer)
Statistics: 71 tackles (30 solo), 23.5 TFL (81 yards), 10.5 sacks, 15 QBH, 1 FF, 1 BK (10 games)
 
Jeremiah Tyler, LB, Princeton (Ivy)
Statistics: 58 tackles (49 solo), 7 TFL (35 yards), 2 sacks, 6 PBU, 1 QBH, 1 FR, 1 TD (10 games)