SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Wofford linebacker Alvin Scioneaux is one of the 20 nominees on the 2013 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List which was announced Thursday. The 19th annual award is presented by The Sports Network to the outstanding defensive player in the FCS following the regular season.
Scioneaux, a senior from Garyville, Louisiana, was third on the team with 70 tackles last season. He led the team and was second in the Southern Conference in tackles for loss with 14.0 for 64 yards. In addition, he led the team in sacks with 7.0 for 48 yards, which was third in the Southern Conference. Scioneaux earned first team All-Southern Conference honors from the coaches and second team honors by the media.
The Bison of North Dakota State feature two of the 20 nominees on the 2013 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List, senior cornerback Marcus Williams and senior linebacker Grant Olson.
Williams is one of seven returning finalists. Also returning to the Watch List are linebackers Wes Dothard of Chattanooga, Stephon Robertson of James Madison, Tyler Starr of South Dakota and Jordan Tripp of Montana; Illinois State defensive end Colton Underwood; and Samford safety Jaquiski Tartt. Dothard was a 2011 finalist as well.
In addition to Olson, the newcomers to the Watch List are linebackers Dorian Bell of Duquesne, Clarence Bumpas of Northern Colorado, Ronnie Hamlin of Eastern Washington and Alvin Scioneaux of Wofford; defensive linemen Antoine Lewis of Villanova, Caraun Reid of Princeton, Robert Simpson of Mississippi Valley State and Davis Tull of Chattanooga; cornerbacks Qua Cox of Jackson State and Steven Godbolt of Tennessee State; and safeties Jestin Love of Central Arkansas and Caleb Schaffitzel of Missouri State.
The Buchanan Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2013 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 175 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The winner will be invited to The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation on Dec. 16.
Past Buchanan Award recipients include two-time winner Dexter Coakley, Jared Allen, Rashean Mathis, Kroy Biermann and Montana State defensive end Caleb Schreibeis last season.
The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year.
