University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Brinkman Named to Buchanan Award Watch List
4/19/2021 5:48:00 PM | Football
CHICAGO – UNI Defensive Tackle Jared Brinkman was named one of 18 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award by Stats Perform Monday.
Brinkman is the only Missouri Valley Conference player that is included in the list.
Brinkman led the Valley with 9.0 tackles for loss despite facing double and triple teams on nearly every play. He ended the season with 38 total tackles. He tallied 3.5 sacks, three QB hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
He made an impact across the defense. He took on blocks, allowing linebacker Spencer Cuvelier to lead the MVFC in tackles and linebacker Riley Van Wyhe to rank second on the team in tackles. His pass rush helped UNI lead the league in scoring defense and third in total defense.
The Panthers were second in the league in rushing defense, despite playing four games against teams that are in the FCS Championship field.
Brinkman is the seventh Panther to earn Buchanan finalists honors. Elerson Smith finished ninth in the 2019 Buchanan Award final voting a year ago. Karter Schult won the award in the 2016 season.
The award will be announced on May 15, the day before the FCS National Championship in Frisco, Texas.
Brinkman is the only Missouri Valley Conference player that is included in the list.
Brinkman led the Valley with 9.0 tackles for loss despite facing double and triple teams on nearly every play. He ended the season with 38 total tackles. He tallied 3.5 sacks, three QB hurries, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
He made an impact across the defense. He took on blocks, allowing linebacker Spencer Cuvelier to lead the MVFC in tackles and linebacker Riley Van Wyhe to rank second on the team in tackles. His pass rush helped UNI lead the league in scoring defense and third in total defense.
The Panthers were second in the league in rushing defense, despite playing four games against teams that are in the FCS Championship field.
Brinkman is the seventh Panther to earn Buchanan finalists honors. Elerson Smith finished ninth in the 2019 Buchanan Award final voting a year ago. Karter Schult won the award in the 2016 season.
The award will be announced on May 15, the day before the FCS National Championship in Frisco, Texas.
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