Best defensive performances in a season in the history of FCS football

The FCS has a long history of outstanding defensive players, including players who have made it to the NFL Hall of Fame and Super Bowl winners. Established in 1995, the Buck Buchanan Award is given each season to the best defensive player at the FCS level.

Linebackers and defensive ends have dominated the award's history, winning it in 21 consecutive seasons. Bethune-Cookman cornerback Rashean Mathis (2002) and Troy defensive tackle Al Lucas are the only two players to win the award without being a linebacker or defensive end.

Below is a list of the top 10 seasons for each defensive player in each decade, sorted by total sacks and interceptions.

RELATED: Best passing performances in a season in the history of FCS football

Bags:
1. 19 – Isaiah Land, Florida A&M (2021)
T2. 16.5 – James Houston, Jackson State (2021)
T2. 16.5 – Daniel Hardy, Montana State (2021)
4. 15 – Anton Juncaj, UAlbany (2023)
5. 14.5 – Terrell Allen, Tennessee State (2023)
T6. 14 – Patrick O'Connell, Montana (2021)
T6. 14 – Zeke Vandenburgh, Illinois State (2022)
T8. 12.5 – Finn Claypool, Drake (2023)
T8. 12.5 – AJ Simon, UAlbany (2023)
T8. 12.5 – Josiah Silver, New Hampshire (2021)

Intercepted balls:
1. 9 – Justin Ford, Montana (2021)
2. 8 – Cole Wisniewski, North Dakota State (2023)
T3. 7 – Johnathon Edwards, Austin Peay (2021)
T3. 7 – Christian Benford, Villanova (2021)
T3. 7 – Rassie Littlejohn, Stetson (2021)
T6. 6 – Javeon Ensley, Stetson (2022)
T6. 6 – Jordan Jones, Rhode Island (2021)
T6.6 – Victor Nelson, Long Island (2022)
T6. 6 – Alijah Huzzie, East Tennessee State (2022)
T6. 6 – Cameron Brown, Chattanooga (2022)
T6. 6 – Zy Alexander, Southeast Louisiana (2021)
T6. 6 – Jihad McCall, Morehead State (2023)
T6. 6 – Kaleb Lyons, Morehead State (2023)

Bags:
1. 20.5 – Adrian Hamilton, Prairie View A&M (2011)
2. 19.5 – Kyle Emanuel, North Dakota State (2014)
T3. 18 – Jonathan Petersen, San Diego (2017)
T3. 18 – Tyrone Holmes, Montana (2015)
T5. 17.5 – Brandon Thurmond, Arkansas-Pine Bluff (2012)
T5. 17.5 – Zack Wagenman, Montana (2014)
T7. 17 – Mario Kurn, San Diego (2010)
T7. 17 – Karter Schult, Northern Iowa (2016)
T9. 16.5 – John Daka, James Madison (2019)
T9. 16.5 – Alec May, Georgetown (2014)

Intercepted balls:
1. 13 – Bryce Robertson, Bucknell (2011)
T2. 9 – Isiah Swann, Dartmouth (2018)
T2. 9 – Kejuan Riley, Alabama State (2011)
T2. 9 – Justin Grier, Morehead State (2015)
T2. 9 – Patrick Onwuasor, Portland State (2015)
T2. 9 – Jordan Brown, James Madison (2017)
T2. 9 – David Jones, Richmond (2015)
T8. 8 – Greg Liggs, Elon (2019)
T8. 8 – Moses Ellis, Prairie View A&M (2010)
T8. 8 – Will Warner, Drake (2018)
T8. 8 – Jimmy Moreland, James Madison (2017)
T8. 8 – Jacob Hagen, Liberty (2014)
T8. 8 – Daniel Fitzpatrick, Tennessee State (2013)
T8. 8 – Daxton Swanson, Sam Houston State (2011)

RELATED: Best single-season receiver performances in FCS football history

Bags:
1. 23.5 – Chris Gocong, Cal Poly (2005)
T2. 20 – Eric Bakhtiari, San Diego (2007)
T2. 20 – Robert Mathis, Alabama A&M (2002)
4. 19 – Andy Petek, Montana (2000)
5. 18 – Greg Peach, Eastern Washington (2008)
T6. 17.5 – Chris Gocong, Cal Poly (2004)
T6. 17.5 – Jared Allen, Idaho State (2003)
8. 17 – Brent Hawkins, Illinois State (2005)
9. 16 – Anthony Jones, Wofford (2002)
T10.15 – Steve Baggs, Bethune-Cookman (2003)
T10. 15 – Kroy Biermann, Montana (2007)

Intercepted balls:
1. 14 – Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman (2002)
T2. 11 – Steve Dogmanits, Fairfield (2000)
T2. 11 – Rashean Mathis, Bethune-Cookman (2000)
T2. 11 – Jon Ambrose, St. Peter (2001)
T2. 11 – Mark Kasmer, Dayton (2001)
T6.10 – Jason House, Southern States (2009)
T6. 10 – Antwan Hill, State of Alabama (2002)
T6. 10 – Mark LeGree, Appalachian State (2008)
9. 12 players tied with nine interceptions

Bags:
1. 22.5 – Chartric Darby, South Carolina State (1998)
2. 21.5 – Chris McNeil, North Carolina A&T (1997)
3. 20 – Alonzo Johnson, Florida A&M (1982)
4. 19 – Michael Strahan, Texas Southern (1992)
T5. 18 – Charles Preston, Hampton (1998)
T5. 18 – Roderick Stansell, Stephen F. Austin (1989)
T7. 17.5 – Bryan Dailer, Furman (1997)
T7. 17.5 – Anthony Cook, South Carolina State (1993)
T9. 16 – Kelly Fletcher, Furman (1989)
T9. 16 – Hugh Hunter, Hamptons (1995)

Intercepted balls:
1. 12 – Dean Cain, Princeton (1987)
T2. 11 – Anthony Young, Jackson State (1978)
T2. 11 – Everson Walls, Grambling State (1980)
T2. 11 – Bill McGovern, Holy Cross (1984)
T2. 11 – Aeneas Williams, Southern States (1990)
T2. 11 – Claude Pettaway, Maine (1990)
T7. 10 – Bob Mahr, Lafayette (1981)
T7. 10 – Kevin Dent, Jackson State (1986)
T7. 10 – Mike Armentrout, Missouri State (1983)
T7. 10 – Mike Genetti, Northeastern (1981)
T7. 10 – George Schmitt, Delaware (1982)
T7. 10 – Anthony Anderson, Grambling State (1986)
T7. 10 – Eric Thompson, New Hampshire (1986)

* FCS defensive stats are limited to 1978-99. The players listed above are some of the best defensive players from those seasons who have verified single-season stats.

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