CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (ESPN CLARKSVILLE) – Austin Peay State University defensive standout Jaison Williams has been named to the 25-person watch list for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top defensive player, announced Thursday.
Named in honor of Grambling State All-Amercan defensive lineman Junious “Buck” Buchanan, the award has been presented each season since 1995, when future NFL star Dexter Coakley from Appalachian State won the inaugural honor. Williams finished 19th in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2017.
The junior defensive end has earned myriad preseason honors heading into the 2018 season. STATS tabbed him as a Preseason FCS Second-Team All-American, as did HERO Sports. He also earned Preseason All-America recognition from Lindy’s and Street & Smith. The Ohio Valley Conference named him to its Preseason All-OVC Team last month at OVC Football Media Day.
Williams exploded onto the scene a year ago, leading the Governors and finishing second in the OVC with 9.5 sacks. He recorded 44 tackles on the year, including 11.5 for loss, and led the team in quarterback hurries with 13. He tied a program record with four forced fumbles on the season.
Williams played his best games against ranked conference opponents in 2017. He recorded six tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble against UT Martin. The 2.5 sacks is the third-best mark in a single game in program history.
The following weekend against Jacksonville State, he notched a season-high 10 tackles, including a sack, and two forced fumbles. The two forced fumbles tied the program record for most in a game.
Austin Peay opens the season against reining SEC Champion and FBS national runner-up Georgia at 2:30 p.m. CT on Sept. 1.
Season tickets for Austin Peay’s five-game home schedule remain available. Reserved seating is available today and may be purchased by contacting the APSU Athletics Ticket office by phone at (931) 221-PEAY [7329] or online at LetsGoPeay.com/SportTix. Fans interested in joining the waiting list for club seating should visit LetsGoPeay.com/Tickets.