SAN ANTONIO – Steven Parker from the University of the Incarnate Word football team was announced as one of 30 FCS standouts to be named a finalist for the 2023 Buck Buchanan Award, presented by FedEx Ground.
 
The Buchanan Award, first presented in 1995 and in its 29th season, 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. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.
 
Parker was a defensive threat for the Cardinals all season, leading the team in tackles for loss (14.5), sacks (7), quarterback hurries (6), and forced fumbles (3). Nationally, he's No. 10 for forced fumbles, No. 16 in tackles for loss, and No. 25 in sacks, helping the Cardinals to the 10-ranked total defense and 312th-ranked scoring defense.
 
Parker had a season-high seven tackles and two sacks against Texas A&M–Commerce, with four tackles for loss at Northern Colorado. He was named to the Southland Preseason All-Conference First Team, Phil Steele Preseason All-Southland Team, and Bluebloods Preseason All-Southland Team, while earning Southland Defensive Player of the Week and FCS Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention. Most recently, Phil Steele named him as the FCS Midseason Defensive Player of the Year.
 
FCS Football 2023 Buck Buchanan Award Finalists | The Analyst
 
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