Clifford, Holmes, Wilkinson Join Buck Buchanan Award Watch List

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The early season play of linebackers Tyler Holmes of Massachusetts and Antoine Wilkinson of Missouri State as well as safety Eugene Clifford of Tennessee State has led to their joining the race for the 2010 Buck Buchanan Award, sponsored by Fathead.com.

The stellar 20-player Watch List will be pared to the winner of the Football Championship Subdivision's top individual honor for defensive players. The Buchanan Award is in its 16th season and will be presented at the national awards banquet on Thursday, Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the night before the national championship game.

Clifford, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound senior, has been a disruptive force in coverage this season. Through his first five games, he has intercepted three passes and broken up six more for nine passes defended. The 2008 transfer from Ohio State also leads Tennessee State with 39 tackles.

Holmes, a 6-foot, 220-pound junior, doesn't have prototypical size for a linebacker, but his relentless style makes him highly productive. He helped Massachusetts to a big month in September, including a win over then-No. 4 William & Mary and a five-point loss at Michigan. His career-best 18 tackles against Towson State give him 51 overall, including eight for losses. He also has three interceptions and two forced fumbles.

Wilkinson, a senior, has the prototypical size for a linebacker at 6-2, 237 pounds. He also makes the plays on a high level. The 2009 Missouri Valley Football Newcomer of the Year has used his speed to get into opposing backfields, registering three sacks and five tackles for losses among his 25 tackles through the Bearscats' first four games.

Joining Clifford, Holmes and Wilkinson on the Watch List are defensive tackles Kenrick Ellis of Hampton and Martin Parker of Richmond; defensive ends Christian Clark of Sacramento State, Jabari Fletcher of Appalachian State and Malcolm Taylor of Alcorn State; linebackers Eric McBride of Richmond, J.C. Sherritt of Eastern Washington (last year's runner-up for the award), Bryce Smith of Samford, D.J. Smith of Appalachian State, Terence Thomas of Villanova and Jabara Williams of Stephen F. Austin; cornerbacks Jeremy Caldwell of Eastern Kentucky, Korey Lindsey of Southern Illinois, Trumaine Johnson of Montana and Justin Rogers of Richmond; and strong safeties Mark LeGree of Appalachian State and James Vercammen of Dayton.

The Buchanan Award Watch List can undergo a second revision on Oct. 25. Ballots will be sent to a panel of approximately 200 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries after the regular season on Nov. 22.

Full bios of the Buchanan nominees are available on www.sportsnetwork.com.

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SOURCE The Sports Network