Official Release
Bronx, N.Y. – Fordham grad student linebacker
James Conway has another accolade to add to his cache as he was named one of 30 finalists for the 2025 Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented 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.
All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tennessee.
The Buchanan Award is the third award to name Conway a finalist. He is also a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership, along with the FedEx Doris Robinson Award, which honors FCS student-athletes who exemplify excellence on the field, in the classroom and across the community. The values embody the leadership and integrity championed by Doris Robinson, a former schoolteacher and the wife of legendary Grambling State University coach Eddie Robinson.
A 2025 Preseason All-American, Conway recorded ten tackles in his final collegiate game at Merrimack on Saturday, to bring his career total to 595, a new NCAA Division I record, surpassing the former mark of 577 set by Troy's Carlton Martial. The ten tackles also bring Conway's season total to 159, setting a Fordham single season record, breaking the old mark of 145 set by Mark Blazejewski in 1991.
This year Conway 159 tackles as he leads the NCAA Division I in tackles/game (13.3). Included in his 159 stops are six for loss and three sacks. He also had an interception and three pass breakups.
A two-year captain, Conway is a three-time First Team All-Patriot League selection. The 2022 Sophomore All-American entered the 2025 season with the Fordham and Patriot League career tackles records. This season, Conway leads the FCS in total tackles (145) and tackles per game (13.5).
Conway has excelled academically, graduating magna cum laude with a 3.71 GPA in May 2025 as a marketing information systems major. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and four-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Conway is currently pursuing a master's degree in artificial intelligence.
