Football Championship Subdivision

Every year the race for the Buchanan Award seems to heat up mid-season when a few players surpass the rest and usually the race comes down to just 2 or 3 players by the time voting comes around.  As a voter in the process, here is an early peak at a few names to keep an eye on entering the season.

EARLY BUCHANAN FAVORITES

DE Christian Anthony, Grambling State, Sr.- Anthony enters 2010 as one of the top players in the nation that likely 90 percent of FCS fans have not seen.  For those that have missed out on seeing him you are missing out and truly have not done yourself justice.  A two-time first-team All-SWAC selection, Anthony was named a first team All-American and SWAC DEF POY in 2009 with 76 tackles, 15 TFL, 8 sacks, 5 INTs, 7 hurries, 3 TDs, and 5 forced fumbles.  At 6′4, 275 pounds he has the size and clearly has dominated the way a NFL prospect should.  Watching him he clearly is raw and has not faced anyone that can shut him down and primarily his motor is to blame.  He doesn’t give up on the play and is so quick off the edge that most tackles would have to start before the ball is snapped, which is illegal, just to keep up with him.  Don’t be surprised to see his name move up draft charts as we inch closer to the draft and as the NFL starts showing heavy interest in this potential superstar in the FCS for 2010.

FS Mark LeGree, Appalachian State, Sr.- It really seems as though LeGree should have graduated by now doesn’t it?  Well, usually players who we feel this way about are studs and LeGree is no exception.  I love his ball skills, range, hard-hitting style, and his speed.  The kid can play.  His numbers back that up as a two-time first team All-American and Nagurski Trophy Candidate, which is given annually to the best defender in all of college football regardless of division.  LeGree could be a big time NFL prospect this season but will need to bulk up, become a consistent form tackler, and continue to work on his technique in coverage.  He returns with 19 career INTs and tallied 70 tackles, 2 TFL, 7 INTs, 6 breakups, and one forced fumble in 2009.  As someone who follows the draft very carefully I have already given the young man a 6th round grade for next year and could see him going as high as the 3rd or 4th round with continued physical development and improvement in his technique.

OLB J.C. Sherritt, Eastern Washington, Sr.- Sherritt is the only player among those written up here that really don’t appear to have a NFL future but he still deserves mention as one of the leading candidates.  He finished 2009 as a leading vote-getter and first-team All-American with 170 tackles, 11.5 TFL, one pick, 4 breakups, 4 fumble recoveries, and 3 forced fumbles in 12 games.  As a two-time returning All-Big Sky selection in one of the best leagues for Buchanan candidates Sherritt has to be among the leading contenders and is a name to monitor in 2010.

CB Korey Lindsey, Southern Illinois, Sr.- While some proclaimed LB Brandin Jordan as the best on the SIU defense in 2009 there is no doubt in my mind that Lindsey was their defensive MVP with his speed, change of direction, ball skills, sure tackling, and range.  At 5′11, 185 pounds, and with the his flexibility and change of direction he possesses he is clearly one of the very few blessed with NFL talent and skills at the corner position.  His ability in the return also helps and could boast his draft stock higher than many expect.  After watching over 8 games of this young man there is no doubt he will play at the next level.  Lindsey was named an AFCA All-American in 2009 with 63 tackles, 2.5 TFL, one sack, 6 INTs, 4 breakups, and one fumble recovery in 13 games and repeated as an All-American and first team All-Missouri Valley selection. Don’t  be surprised to see him as a highly ranked prospect entering the 2010 season and a sleeper to finish high in the Buchanan voting as he does possess many of the similar skills that DRC and Rashean Mathis brought to the table.

DT Kendrick Ellis, Hampton, Sr.- Ellis was dismissed from South Carolina for violating school policy and lucky Hampton landed this mammoth (6′5, 340 pounds) prospect that can change games with his ability to push the pocket, attract double teams, and wreak havoc in the backfield.  Ellis is a two-time All-MEAC selection and has the numbers to warrant serious consideration.  With 51 tackles, 15 TFL, 1.5 sacks, 2 hurries, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries in 2009 and 7.5 TFL, 39 tackles, and 3.5 sacks in 2008 it is clear he is improving each season and there is no doubt he should have a monster senior season.  Ellis is one of the few players in the MEAC that opposing coaches have to scheme around and perhaps the top NFL prospect in a league that often produces NFL talent.  Hopefully he will be on the preseason Buchanan Award Watch List because excluding this monster would be a travesty.

DT Martin Parker, Richmond, Sr.- Parker returns as a previous Buchanan Finalist despite flying under the national radar.  Parker earned second team All-America and second team All-CAA honors, which was a huge snub.  Expect an even better 2010 campaign despite producing 75 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 6.5 sacks, one breakup, 10 hurries, and 2 forced fumbles as a junior.  His numbers have improved every year on campus and if he can continue to get bigger, the NFL is a legitimate chance as well.

OTHERS WORTH WATCHING

DE Malcolm Taylor, Alcorn State, Sr.

DT Renard Williams, Eastern Washington, Jr.

DT Teryl White, NC Central, Sr.

LB A.J. Storms, Idaho State, Jr.

LB Derek Domino, South Dakota State, Sr.

LB D.J. Smith, Appalachian State, Sr.

LB Bryce Smith, Samford, Sr.

LB Antoine Wilkinson, Missouri State, Sr.

LB Jake Trantin, William & Mary, Jr.

LB Tyler Holmes, UMASS, Jr.

LB Marty Patterson, Gardner-Webb, Sr.

LB Jose Gumbs, Monmouth, Jr.

LB Josh Bey, UT Martin, Sr.

LB Jabara Williams, Stephen F. Austin, Sr.

CB Asa Jackson, Cal Poly, Jr.

CB B.W. Webb, William & Mary, Soph.

CB Trumaine Johnson, Montana, Jr.

CB Justin Rogers, Richmond, Sr.

CB T.J. Heath, Jacksonville State, Sr.

CB Jeremy Caldwell, EKU, Jr.

S Conrad Kjerstad, South Dakota State, Sr.

S Jason House, Southern, Sr.

S Eugene Clifford, Tennessee State, Sr.

S Malcolm Bronson, McNeese State, Soph.