Zock Named To Buck Buchanan Award Watch List
7/30/2025 12:48:00 PM | Football
MACON – Preseason all-American Andrew Zock continued to rake in the preseason recognition on Wednesday afternoon when the sophomore defensive end was named to the 30-player preseason watch list for the Buck Buchanan Award which is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
The award, in its 31st season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past Buchanan recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen; Central Arkansas' David Walker was last season's winner.
Zock, who was named the Southern Conference's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year last week, joined SoCon defensive backs C.J. Coombes (Wofford) and Nahil Perkins (Samford) in Wednesday's announcement by Stats Perform FCS.
All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes seven past finalists. This season's recipient will be announced at the Stats Perform National Awards Presentation on Jan. 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
A native of Citra, Fla., Zock was a finalist for the 2024 Jerry Rice Award (top freshman player in FCS) last season after starting all 14 games at defensive end while amassing 38 tackles (21 solo), including 14-1/2 tackles for loss (-77 yards). He also logged seven sacks (-58 yards), two forced fumbles and a pair of pass break-ups, while also registering a school record 15 quarterback hurries as well.
The 10th-ranked Bears will lift the lid on their 51st season of intercollegiate football on August 23 when they trek to Montgomery, Ala., to take on 4th-ranked UC Davis in the FCS Kickoff. Mercer will open the home portion of its 2025 slate the following week (August 30) when it welcomes Presbyterian to Five Star Stadium for a 6 p.m. matchup.
Reserved-seat season tickets for the 2025 home football schedule have already gone on sale and can be purchased for as little as $75 by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets. Access to game day parking in the BEAR PLUS lots will continue to be based on giving levels to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. For more information about the BEAR PLUS program, e-mail maf@mercer.edu or call (478) 301-4003.
The award, in its 31st season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past Buchanan recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen; Central Arkansas' David Walker was last season's winner.
Zock, who was named the Southern Conference's Preseason Defensive Player of the Year last week, joined SoCon defensive backs C.J. Coombes (Wofford) and Nahil Perkins (Samford) in Wednesday's announcement by Stats Perform FCS.
All 13 FCS conferences are represented on the watch list, which includes seven past finalists. This season's recipient will be announced at the Stats Perform National Awards Presentation on Jan. 3, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.
A native of Citra, Fla., Zock was a finalist for the 2024 Jerry Rice Award (top freshman player in FCS) last season after starting all 14 games at defensive end while amassing 38 tackles (21 solo), including 14-1/2 tackles for loss (-77 yards). He also logged seven sacks (-58 yards), two forced fumbles and a pair of pass break-ups, while also registering a school record 15 quarterback hurries as well.
The 10th-ranked Bears will lift the lid on their 51st season of intercollegiate football on August 23 when they trek to Montgomery, Ala., to take on 4th-ranked UC Davis in the FCS Kickoff. Mercer will open the home portion of its 2025 slate the following week (August 30) when it welcomes Presbyterian to Five Star Stadium for a 6 p.m. matchup.
Reserved-seat season tickets for the 2025 home football schedule have already gone on sale and can be purchased for as little as $75 by visiting MercerBears.com/Tickets. Access to game day parking in the BEAR PLUS lots will continue to be based on giving levels to the Mercer Athletic Foundation. For more information about the BEAR PLUS program, e-mail maf@mercer.edu or call (478) 301-4003.
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