Jalen Mackie Added to Buck Buchanan Award Watch List

HANOVER, N.H. — STATS Perform announced 11 additions to its watch list fo the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the national defensive player of the year in the FCS, one of whom was Dartmouth linebacker Jalen Mackie.

Mackie, a 6-1, 240-pound senior from Miramar, Florida, has been a force for the Big Green defense all year. His 78 tackles and 43 solo stops both lead the Ivy League and rank among the top 20 nationally. Five times he has collected at least 10 tackles in a game, including each of the previous four contests, and twice he has stopped a season-high 13 opponents. Mackie has also posted 8.0 tackles for a loss with a pair of assisted sacks.

The Ivy League office has selected Mackie as its Defensive Player of the Week twice this season as well — following the season-opening victory at Valparaiso where he had a dozen stops and a key interception that he returned 28 yards, and again when the Big Green defeated then-23rd-ranked New Hampshire, 38-21, thanks to his 10 tackles, nine of which were solo.

Mackie and the 10 other nominees join the initial 35 members of the watch list that was released prior to the season. A 50-person, national media panel will select the winner following the regular season. The Buchanan Award, now in its 27th season, is named for the legendary Hall of Fame defensive lineman. Past recipients include two-time winner Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen.

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