BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Fordham senior linebacker James Conway and Lafayette senior safety Saiku White were named to the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List when it was announced by Stats Perform. The Buck Buchanan Award is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level.
 
Conway and White were selected to the 2024 All-Patriot League Preseason Football Team when it was announced on July 24 after earning First Team All-Patriot League accolades in 2023.
 
All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes 10 past finalists. This is the 30th anniversary of the award named for legendary defensive lineman Junious “Buck” Buchanan, who starred for Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Lafayette’s Billy Shaeffer finished third in the voting for the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award.
 
The honor will be selected by a national media panel at the conclusion of the regular season.
 
STATS PERFORM RELEASE
 
Fordham’s James Conway Named to Buck Buchanan Preseason Watch List
Fordham junior linebacker James Conway was named to the 2024 Buck Buchanan Preseason Watch List.
 
The Omaha, Neb. native was also named to the 2024 Stats Perform Preseason All-America Second Team and Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Last season, Conway finished second in the Patriot League and fourth in the FCS with 11.7 tackles per game, completing his third straight season with more than 100 tackles.
FORDHAM RELEASE

Lafayette’s Saiku White Slotted for Buck Buchanan Preseason Watch List
Senior safety Saiku White has been named to the 30-player preseason watch list for the 2024 Buck Buchanan Award.
 
White's most recent preseason recognition follows a selection to the Stats Perform Preseason All-America Third Team announced Monday and the Preseason All-Patriot League Team on July 24. White, who is in his second season as a team captain, was an All-Patriot League performer in 2023 while claiming Associated Press All-America Third-Team laurels. White finished his junior campaign second on the team in tackles (77) and led the Patriot League with four interceptions, including a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown in a win over Georgetown. White added 5.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups and forced a fumble.
LAFAYETTE RELEASE
 
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The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.