NSU's Derek Rose returns to Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
By: Brandon Dunn
Updated: July 19, 2012
NATCHITOCHES - For the second straight season, Northwestern State's two-time All-America linebacker Derek Rose is among 20 elite defensive players in the Football Championship Subdivision included on the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award Watch List.
Rose is one of six finalists from last year's candidates who are contending for the 18th Annual Buchanan Award, presented by The Sports Network to the outstanding defensive performer in the FCS. Among the 2011 finalists is last year's winner, New Hampshire senior linebacker Matt Evans, bidding to become the second repeat Buchanan Award recipient.
The other 2011 finalists returning to the Watch List are Georgia Southern nose tackle Brent Russell, Indiana State defensive end Ben Obaseki, Howard outside linebacker Keith Pough, and Alabama State safety Kejuan Riley.
The newcomers to the Watch List are defensive tackle Zach Minter of Montana State; defensive ends Willie Jefferson of Stephen F. Austin, Joseph LeBeau of Jackson State and Blake Oliaro of San Diego; linebackers Clarence Bumpas of Northern Colorado, Wes Dothard of Chattanooga, Jeremy Kimbrough of Appalachian State, Blake Peiffer of Southeast Missouri State and Tyler Starr of South Dakota; cornerbacks Demetrius McCray of Appalachian State, B.W. Webb of William & Mary and Marcus Williams of FCS champion North Dakota State; and safeties Malcolm Bronson of McNeese State and Darnell Taylor of Sam Houston State.
