Friday, August 2, 2019
CHICAGO – Drake football senior safety Will Warner was one of 25 nominees announced Thursday for the silver anniversary season of the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the defensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision.
Warner had an outstanding junior season that was capped by being named Drake's first first-team All-American since Eric Saubert in 2015 and the Bulldogs' first Associated Press first-team All-American since 1982. He was part of a defensive unit that ranked in the top 15 nationally in nearly every defensive statistical category.
Individually, Warner was second in the nation in interceptions with eight to also tie the Drake program record. He also led the nation in interception return yardage at 223 total yards. Outside of his interceptions, Warner was second on the team in solo tackles with 41 and successfully defended a total of 12 passes. On Monday, he was chosen to the Pioneer Football League Preseason Team for the second-straight year.