Zak DeOssie Named To Buck Buchanan Award Watch

Aug. 23, 2006

Providence, Rhode Island - For the second straight season, Brown University senior All-American linebacker Zak DeOssie (North Andover, Mass.) is one of 16 players to named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch by the Sports Network, honoring the top defensive player in I-AA football.

DeOssie, who was a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award last season, is a two-time first team All-Ivy and All-New England selection. He was a third team Associated Press All-American in 2005, and a 2006 second team pre-season All-American selection by the Sports Network.

Last season, DeOssie was ranked in the Top 10 nationally in four different national defensive categories - total tackles, solo tackles, forced fumbles and tackles for a loss, before suffering a season ending injury in Brown's eighth game of the season.

Recognized as one of the dominating linebackers in the nation at any level, DeOssie tied for the team lead in tackles with 80, including 12 tackles for a loss and five quarterback sacks. DeOssie was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week after he registered a career high 18 tackles on the road against Cornell.

The Buck Buchanan Award is named in honor of Junious "Buck" Buchanan, the NAIA All-American and pro Football Hall of Fame defensive lineman, who played at Grambling State University from 1959-1962, and went on to an all-star career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

"Buchanan Watch" Candidates (Aug. 23)
Tory Collins, DT, Northwestern State
Zak DeOssie, LB, Brown
Justin Durant, LB, Hampton
Keldrick Holman, S, Stephen F. Austin
Codera Jackson, CB, Youngstown State
Martin Jackson, DE, Alcorn State
Tyler Knight, LB, Mississippi Valley State
Tony LeZotte, S, James Madison
John Mohring, LB, Georgia Southern
Mike Murphy, DE, Montana
Marques Murrell, DE, Appalachian State
Chad Nkang, LB, Elon
Clint Sellers, LB, Eastern Illinois
Kyle Shotwell, LB, Cal Poly
Cameron Siskowic, LB, Illinois State
Pago Togafau, LB, Idaho State