Thursday, August 2, 2018
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

CHICAGO – Marist linebacker Willie Barrett was named to the 2018 STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List, Thursday. 

Barrett, a Preseason All-PFL pick, returns to the Red Foxes after earning First-Team All-PFL honors last season. He posted a 53-tackle campaign that included 9.5 tackles for loss. Barrett also had three sacks and forced three fumbles.

The 2018 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List includes at least one player from all 13 conferences are nominees for the national defensive player of the year award. Ten were nominees or finalists last season, when former Jacksonville State defensive end Darius Jackson claimed the Buchanan.

• Nasir Adderley, Delaware, S, Sr., 6-0, 190
• Bryson Armstrong, Kennesaw State, LB, So., 5-11, 205
• Willie Barrett, Marist, LB, R-Sr., 5-11, 227
• Marlon Bridges, Jacksonville State, S, Jr., 6-0, 200
• Miles Brown, Wofford, DL, Sr., 6-2, 320
• Josh Buss, Montana, LB, Sr., 6-2, 220
• De'Arius Christmas, Grambling State, LB, Sr., 5-10, 220
• Andrew Clyde, Richmond, DT, Sr., 6-3, 275
• Thomas Costigan, Bryant, LB, Sr., 6-3, 230
• Ahmad Gooden, Samford, DE, Sr., 6-1, 240
• Darin Greenfield, South Dakota, DE, Jr., 6-3, 235
• Robbie Grimsley, North Dakota State, S, Sr., 6-0, 191
• Darryl Johnson Jr., North Carolina A&T, DE, R-Jr., 6-5, 226
• Greg Menard, North Dakota State, DE, Sr., 6-2, 238
• Warren Messer, Elon, LB, Sr., 5-11, 230
• Nick Miller, Penn, LB, Sr., 5-11, 215
• Davanta Reynolds, North Carolina Central, S, Sr., 5-10, 200
• Rashad Robinson, James Madison, CB, Sr., 5-11, 182
• Christian Rozeboom, South Dakota State, LB, Jr., 6-2, 230
• Khalen Saunders, Western Illinois, DE, Sr., 6-2, 310
• Chris Stewart, Sam Houston State, DE, Sr., 6-2, 270
• Chris Terrell, Central Arkansas, DE, Jr., 6-3, 266
• Marvin Tillman, Western Carolina, S, Sr., 6-1, 190
• Nick Wheeler, Colgate, DE, Jr., 6-2, 245
• Jaison Williams, Austin Peay, DE, Jr., 6-1, 225

The breakdown of the watch list by position: 11 defensive linemen, eight linebackers and six defensive backs. The Missouri Valley Football Conference had the most preseason nominees with five followed by CAA Football with four and the Southern Conference with three.

Also this season, STATS 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.