(Jackson, Miss.) – The Sports Network released its 2013 preseason Buck Buchanan Award Watch List and Jackson State’s senior defensive back Qua Cox was selected as one of the 20 players in the running to receive the national recognition. The Buck Buchanan Award is given to the best defensive player at the FCS level (formerly Division IAA).
The Tuskegee, Ala., native has also been named to the 2013 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) preseason watch list and was named a Sports Network preseason All-American.
Last season, Cox led the Southwestern Athletic Conference with five interceptions and was third in the league with 13 passes defended (eight pass breakups and five INTs). Over his collegiate career, he has shown that he is a true man-to-man cornerback with the ability to take away the opponent’s best wide receiver as well as shutting down his side of the field. He has an aggressive playing style (10 career interceptions); although SWAC signal callers have stopped throwing the ball his way.
The Buchanan Award Watch List can undergo revision during the 2013 season. Ballots will be sent to a panel of about 175 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries following the regular season. The winner will be invited to The Sports Network FCS Awards Presentation on Dec. 16.
Past Buchanan Award recipients include two-time winner Dexter Coakley, Jared Allen, Rashean Mathis, Kroy Biermann and Montana State defensive end, Caleb Schreibeis, last season.
The Sports Network also presents the Walter Payton, Jerry Rice and Eddie Robinson awards. The Payton Award honors the outstanding player in the FCS, the Rice Award goes to the FCS freshman of the year and the Robinson Award honors the FCS coach of the year.