EASTON, Pa. -- Senior DL Malik Hamm has been drawing the attention of opponents' offensive coordinators since his rookie season of 2018.
 
His outstanding play that season, when he was the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, and subsequent seasons, when he was the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year (2019) and a two-time All-Patriot League First-Team selection (2019, 2021 Spring) has led to his addition to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team announced Monday and Thursday's naming to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch list.
 
The award is presented annually by Stats Perform and is given to the top defensive player in the FCS ranks. Hamm is one of two Patriot League selections on the initial list of 35, joining Fordham senior LB Ryan Greenhagen. A national media panel will select the winner following the 2021 regular season.
 
A native of Baltimore, Md., Hamm finished the spring 2021 season third on the team in tackles (19), second in tackles for loss (3.5-21) and second in sacks (1-5 for 13) while helping the Leopards' defense limit their opponents to 63.3 rushing yards per game. He made five or more tackles in every game on his way to Stats Perform FCS All-America Second-Team honors and team MVP laurels. Hamm also was one of 38 Leopard selections to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll after achieving a 3.33 semester GPA.
 
Coming off a 2-1 2021 spring season, the Leopards report to training camp Aug. 6 and will open the season a month later on Sept. 4 at Air Force.