NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Stats Perform has announced a 30-player preseason watch list for the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS football. Yale junior Abu Kamara has been named to the list.

Now in its 31st season, the award is named in honor of legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State during his Hall of Fame career.

Kamara was a finalist for the award last season following a breakout 2024 campaign in which he earned Honorable Mention All-America honors from the Associated Press, All-New England recognition from the New England Football Writers Association, and First Team All-Ivy accolades.

The watch list includes players from all 13 FCS conferences, including seven past finalists. This year's recipient will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on January 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Buck Buchanan Award was first presented in 1995. Additional players may be added to the watch list throughout the season before a national media panel votes on the finalists and selects a winner following the regular season.