Tennessee State football DE Terrell Allen wins Buck Buchanan award for nation's top FCS defensive player
Tennessee State football defensive end Terrell Allen won the Buck Buchanan award Saturday night, presented to the nation's top FCS defensive player.
Allen became the first player from TSU to win the award, which originated in 1995.
The junior who transferred from Austin Peay in 2022 beat out two finalists: Albany linebacker Dylan Kelly and Lafayette linebacker Billy Shaeffer.
South Dakota State quarterback Mark Gronowski won the Walter Payton award as the FCS's top offensive player.
Allen, who announced at midseason he would return for his final year of eligibility in 2024, led the FCS in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (25). He was TSU's second-leading tackler with 65 stops and named the Big South/Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the year and an Associated Press All-American.
During one four-game stretch this season, he recorded 16.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks and 32 tackles.
Allen became the third player from the OVC to win the award, joining Southeast Missouri linebacker Zach Hall, who won in 2018, and Jacksonville State defensive end Darius Jackson, who won in 2017. Allen is only the fifth player from a Historically Black College and University to win the award.
TSU defensive coordinator Brandon Fisher accompanied Allen to the FCS national awards banquet in Frisco, Texas, Saturday since Tigers coach Eddie George was unable to travel after undergoing double knee replacement surgery.
WHY TERRELL ALLEN IS AT FCS TITLE GAME: Why FCS championship game could be special for TSU's Terrell Allen and DC Brandon Fisher
PASSING TSU'S GREATEST PLAYERS: Terrell Allen could pass Richard Dent and Joe 'Turkey' Jones as Tennessee State football's sacks leader
Allen and Fisher will be recognized during the first quarter of Sunday's FCS national championship game between Montana and South Dakota State.
A replay of the awards ceremony will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southeast on Sunday at 4 p.m. CT.
Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on X @MikeOrganWriter.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee State football's Terrell Allen named top FCS defensive player
