University of Richmond defensive end Jeremiah Grant has been named among the nation’s top defensive players as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this season, the award is presented yearly to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.

Grant earns the honor after a standout final season where he’s recorded 45 tackles (31 solos), 16.5 tackles for loss (108 yards), a nation-leading 12.5 sacks (98 sack yards), a pair of forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six quarterback hurries and two pass breakups. Grant, who ranks fifth all-time at Richmond with 20.5 career sacks, needs just one 1.5 more to tie and 2.0 to break Richmond’s all-time single-season sack record.

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.

In addition, Spiders safety Matthew Traynor was named a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, while Head Coach Russ Huesman found his name among Eddie Robinson Award finalists.