EASTON, Pa. – Senior safety Saiku White has been named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
 
White has been a mainstay in the defensive backfield for the Leopards, serving as a team captain through the Leopards' 2023 Patriot League title season and in his senior season of 2024. The safety started 11 games in 2024, despite battling through a thumb injury. White managed to lead the team with 87 tackles and three interceptions to go along with three pass breakups.
 
The Atlanta, Ga. native started 37 games during his career (playing in 42), including all but one game his final three seasons. He garnered Associated Press All-America Third-Team status in 2023 when he also secured All-Patriot League First-Team honors. He is likely to repeat those conference honors when the teams are announced later today.
 
An Economics major, White was selected to the Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List in 2024, earning Preseason All-American recognition from three different organizations, including Stats Perform.
 
The Buchanan Award, which is in its 30^th year, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and Arthur Moats. All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 4 in Frisco, Texas.