Terrell Adams Wins 29th Buck Buchanan Award, 6th HBCU Player Honored
The 29th Buck Buchanan Award recipient for the FCS's best defensive player in 2023 was awarded to Terrell Adams, the star defensive end from Tennessee State.
"I'm just happy to be able to receive this award," Adams said after the banquet. "For my family to be here, just for the whole moment, actually. It's just great to make history for the university. I just feel happy right now. I'm just happy."
The Tigers defensive leader received his hardware at the 2023-24 Stats Perform FCS National Awards Banquet on Friday night in Frisco, TX. He was one of the 30 finalists in the running for the honor outpacing linebackers Dylan Kelly of UAlbany and Billy Shaeffer of Lafayette finished second and third, respectively, in voting by a national panel.
Adams became the sixth HBCU student-athlete to win the honor. The HBCU players bestowed with the Buck Buchanan Award:
- Terrell Adams (Tennessee State - 2023)
- Isaiah Land (Florida A&M - 2021)
- Jordan Lewis (Southern - 2020)
- Deon King (Norfolk State - 2015)
- Rashean Mathis (Bethune-Cookman - 2002)
- Chris McNeil (North Carolina A&T - 1997)
During the 2023 regular season, Adams registered 14.5 sacks, 28 tackles for losses, 10 quarterback hurries, five forced fumbles, a fumble recovery, and 65 total tackles.
Howard's defensive back Kenny Gallop Jr. was 13th, Florida A&M defensive star Isaiah Major 16th, and Alabama State linebacker Colton Adams 20th, and Morgan State linebacker Erick Hunter finished 22nd in the voting.
According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, "Buck Buchanan is one of only 14 players in the history of the National Football League draft to have gone from being the first overall pick of a draft to earning election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame."
An Eddie Robinson disciple and Grambling State University product was 6-7 and 280 pounds of terror on the football field for opposing offenses to defend. He's considered one of the greatest black college football players to ever play in college and the National Football League.
Buchanan was the overall draft pick in the 1962 AFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was a member of the the Chiefs Super Bowl IV team, 1971 All-Pro squad, and two Pro Bowls (1970, 1971). The NFL honored him in the NFL's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.