Idaho State linebacker Mario Jenkins is a finalist for the STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award, announced Monday. The honor is given annually to the top defensive player in the FCS. Jenkins was added to the award’s watch list Oct. 29.

Jenkins, a redshirt senior, led ISU with 111 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks this season. His 10.1 tackles per game are tied for the Big Sky Conference lead and rank tied for 12th in the FCS. Jenkins was named a first-team all-Big Sky linebacker on Tuesday.

Jenkins is one of 25 finalists for the national award. The winner is announced Jan. 5, 2018 at the STATS FCS Awards banquet and Presentation in Frisco, Texas. Jared Allen (2003) is the only Idaho State player to win the award since it started in 1995.

Montana’s Josh Buss is also a finalist for the award. The junior linebacker finished the season with 94 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Other STATS FCS award finalists from the Big Sky are quarterbacks Case Cookus (Northern Arizona) and Gage Gubrud (Eastern Washington) and wide receiver Keelan Doss (UC Davis), who are up for the Walter Payton Award, which recognizes the to top offensive player in the FCS; running back/linebacker Troy Andersen (Montana State) and quarterback Gresch Jensen (Montana) for the Jerry Rice Award, honoring the top freshman in the FCS; and head coach Demario Warren (Southern Utah) for the Eddie Robinson Award, which honors the top coach in the FCS.

All award winners are announced Jan. 5.