PHILADELPHIA, PA - Hampton University senior defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis is among 20 players selected by The Sports Network to the 2010 Buck Buchanan Award Watch List announced by the Sports Network on Monday, July 19.
The race for the 2010 Buck Buchanan Award, sponsored by Fathead.com, kicked off Monday with The Sports Network's announcement of a stellar 20-player Watch List for the Football Championship Subdivision's top individual honor.
Ellis (West Palm Beach, Fla.) was a First Team All-MEAC selection in 2009, after ranking fifth on the team with 51 tackles - including 25 solo efforts. He was also second on the team with 15.0 tackles for loss on the season. Ellis recorded a career-high nine tackles (four solo, five assisted) against Delaware State on Sept. 26, 2009. He also had 3.5 tackles for a loss of 10 yards in that game, before recording 4.0 tackles for a loss of 11 yards on Oct. 10, 2009 against Howard.
Ellis also had 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries for the Pirates in 2009. Despite their 5-6 record, the Pirates were third in the MEAC in total defense, giving up just 19.4 points per game, and third in total defense, as opponents picked up just 278.1 yards per contest.
The Pirates were also second in the MEAC in rushing defense, giving up just 117.0 yards a game.
The Buck Buchanan Award, in its 16th season, goes to the nation's top defensive player at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The award will be handed out on Jan. 6, 2011 in Frisco, Texas. Arthur Moats of James Madison won the award last season.
The full watch list can be found at www.sportsnetwork.com.
Updated watch lists for the Buck Buchanan Award, sponsored by Fathead.com, will be released on Oct. 4 and Oct. 25. Ballots for the award will be distributed to more than 200 voters after the end of the regular season on Nov. 22.
The Buchanan Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2010 season, when updated lists are announced on Oct. 4 and 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.
The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton and Eddie Robinson awards which are sponsored by Fathead. The Payton Award honors the FCS player of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year. Those two awards, like the Buchanan, will be presented at the national awards banquet.
