I know Ankrah being on the list was mentioned on the 2017 Outlook thread, but thought it deserved its own thread. Hopefully an additional JMU player or 2 will be added during the season. 21 nominees, including 8 returning finalists from last season. Only 1 other CAA player besides Ankrah, safety Rob Rolle from VU. Only team with 2 players is NDSU, with their LB who was injured most of last season, and their DE. But their DE apparently just tore his ACL and is done for the season.
"...The watch list will have updates during the season. A national panel of over 150 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries will vote on 25 finalists following the regular season....
The preseason nominees to the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award Watch List:..
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Andrew Ankrah, James Madison, DE, R-Sr., 6-4, 240, Gaithersburg, Maryland
A two-time All-CAA Football first-team selection, Ankrah is primed for a banner senior season for 2016 FCS national champion James Madison. … Physically imposing, the defensive end and hybrid linebacker was a late-bloomer, having not turned serious about football until his senior year of high school. His older brother Jason has played in the NFL and CFL in recent seasons. … Collected 3½ sacks and forced a pair of fumbles in James Madison’s 2015 win at SMU. … Was selected to the STATS FCS All-America second team as a sophomore.
-Pat Afriyie, Colgate, DE, Sr., 6-2, 240, Sandy Hook, Connecticut
-Keontre Anderson, Jackson State, DE, Sr., 6-4, 250, Canton, Mississippi
-Mike Basile, Monmouth, SS, Sr., 6-1, 200, Brick, New Jersey
-Marlon Bridges, Jacksonville State, FS, R-So., 6-1, 220, Lanett, Alabama
-Nick DeLuca, North Dakota State, LB, R-Sr., 6-3, 248, Omaha, Nebraska
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Greg Menard, North Dakota State, DE, Sr., 6-2, 238, Lakeview, Minnesota. Can remove from list, just tore ACL, done for season.
-Garrett Dolan, Houston Baptist, LB, Sr., 6-2, 240, Mont Belvieu, Texas
-Anthony Ellis, Charleston Southern, DE, Sr., 6-1, 245, Apopka, Florida
-P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State, R-DE, Sr., 6-1, 280, Seguin, Texas (runner up last season).
Davontae Harris, Illinois State, CB, R-Sr., 6-0, 200, Wichita, Kansas
-Kurt Holuba, Princeton, DE, Sr., 6-3, 260, Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey
-Darius Jackson, Jacksonville State, DE, R-Sr., 6-3, 237, Bessemer, Alabama
-Darius Leonard, South Carolina State, LB, R-Sr., 6-3, 200, Lake View, South Carolina
-Ebenezer Ogundeko, Tennessee State, DE, R-Sr., 6-3, 255, Brooklyn, New York
-Cole Reyes, North Dakota, SS, R-Sr., 6-2, 205, Schaumburg, Illinois
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Rob Rolle, Villanova, FS, Sr., 6-0, 190, Newfield, New Jersey
-Christian Rozeboom, South Dakota State, LB, R-So., 6-2, 225, Sioux Center, Iowa
-Tremon Smith, Central Arkansas, CB, Sr., 6-0, 186, Anniston, Alabama
-Brett Taylor, Western Illinois, LB, R-Sr., 6-2, 230, Macomb, Illinois
-Kailik Williams, The Citadel, SS, Sr., 5-11, 185, Ormond Beach, Florida
http://www.foxsports.com/college-footbal...7?amp=true