Wise Jr. Finishes In Tie For 20th Among Buck Buchanan Award Finalists

CHICAGO – Safety Lance Wise Jr. raked in both a third- and fourth-place vote, as well as a trio of fifth-place nods, in the final vote tally and finished among a tie for 20^th place among the 30 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award which honors the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football and is presented by FedEx Ground.

It the first time in the 11-year modern era history of the Mercer football program that one of its student-athletes has been a finalist for the high individual honor. All-conference standout Isaac Dowling was named to the preseason watch list for the award in August.

Wise Jr., a product of Marietta, Ga., amassed 82 tackles (36 solo) this season, while also adding 2-1/2 tackles for loss (-9 yards) one forced fumble and a pair of pass break-ups. He also ranks 12th, nationally, among the nation's interceptions leaders, and also returned two pickoffs for touchdowns. Wise Jr. logged double-digit stops in a trio of outings in 2023, including a season-best 14 tackles (2.0 TFL) in the home outing with nationally-ranked Chattanooga.

A 4-year starter for the Orange & Black, Wise Jr. saw action in 56 games across his collegiate career in Macon and amassed 320 tackles (155 solo), including 9-1/2 tackles for loss, while also turning in 26 pass break-ups, three forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. The program's all-time interceptions leader picked off 11 passes across his illustrious career as well, including three that he returned for touchdowns.

The three-time captain for the Bears exits Macon owning or sharing nine school single-game, single-season or career records. He also ranks second on the program's all-time tackles list.

Wise Jr. Finishes In Tie For 20th Among Buck Buchanan Award Finalists

Players Mentioned

Isaac Dowling

Lance Wise Jr.

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