Jean Named To Buchanan Award Watch List
Jean one of 30 players named to list for FCS top defensive player
Central Connecticut State football junior Chris Jean has been named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason Buck Buchanan Watch List, which was announced Tuesday morning.
Jean, who was named a preseason First-Team All-America on Monday, was named an FCS Football Central FCS All-America Third Team selection following his sophomore campaign and earned Freshman All-America from the organization in 2024. He is a two-time All-NEC First Team honoree and was named All-New England in 2025. Jean averaged 1.31 passes defended per game this season, sixth in the nation. He broke up 13 passes during the 2025 season and recorded four interceptions.
The Buck Buchanan Award is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football. The award, in its 32nd season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career.
Jean finished the 2025 season second among active FCS players with 31 passes defended in his career and ranked 17th among all active NCAA players in that category. He finished fourth on the team with 69 total tackles and tied for the team lead with 52 solo stops as a sophomore.
The Blue Devils, with Jean on the field, have won back-to-back NEC Championships, winning 15 games the past two seasons. CCSU has made consecutive appearances in the FCS Playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history in 2024 and 2025.
