CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois linebacker Ben Bogle was named one of 35 finalists for the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award, sponsored by Stats Perform, which goes to the top defensive player in the FCS.

A sophomore from Ponte Vedra, Fla., Bogle had a breakout season with 16.5 tackles for loss, which led all linebackers in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and ranked among the nation’s best.

In Week 2, Bogle was the National Player of the Week for his performance at Austin Peay, where he recorded 3.5 sacks and a school-record 6.5 tackles for loss.

For the season, Bogle had 87 tackles and 5.5 sacks, and added two interceptions, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and a fumble recovery.

Bogle is only the sixth player in school history to become a finalist for the award, joining S Alexis Moreland (16th/2003), LB Brandin Jordan (9th/2009), CB Korey Lindsey (21st/2010), S Jeremy Chinn (17th/2019) and S PJ Jules (6th/2023).

The award 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.

All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.