WILLIAMSBURG — After establishing himself as one of the nation’s top players, William & Mary junior cornerback Jalen Jones was selected as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is annually presented to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
Jones is one of 35 standouts, and among an elite group of just nine defensive backs, who garnered the distinction this season.
Jones’ selection marks the fourth consecutive season that a W&M player has been chosen as a finalist for the Buchanan Award — Nate Lynn (2021, 2023) and John Pius (2022). Pius was runner up in 2022, while Lynn finished ninth in voting in 2021.
The Chesapeake, Va., native concluded the regular season as the national leader (FCS) in passes defended (22), pass breakups (20) and passes defended per game (1.8). Additionally, he finished the year with 48 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
One of the top cornerbacks in school history, he will enter his senior season ranked fourth all-time at W&M in passes defended (45) and is just 10 shy of breaking the program’s career record (54) set by Ron Harrison (1994-97).
A finalist for the 2022 Jerry Rice Award, Jones placed eighth in the voting for the FCS national freshman of the year award and has continued his upward trajectory during the past few seasons. In addition to his 45 passes defended, which includes six interceptions and 39 pass breakups, his career stats include 89 tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 3.0 TFL.
A national media panel will select the Buchanan Award winner, which will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.
The Buchanan Award, first presented in 1995 and in its 30th season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious “Buck” Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and Arthur Moats.
