On Thursday, Aug. 4 a trio from NDSU were named to the 2022 Buck Buchanan Award preseason watch list. The Bison named to the watch list are defensive end Spencer Waege, linebacker James Kaczor, and safety Michael Tutsie.
The Buck Buchanan Award is given out annually to the national defensive player of the year at the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision level. The Bison have had nine finalists for the award including 2014 winner, defensive end Kyle Emanuel.
Wage is a senior from South Shore, S.D. and is returning to NDSU for his sixth season after he suffered a season-ending injury during the third game of the 2021 season. Waege has appeared in 42 career games that includes 24.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. In the spring of 2021, Waege was a second team FCS All-American with his 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in nine games played.
Kaczor is a senior from St. Cloud, Minn. He is exercising his fifth year of eligibility after being limited to nine games this past season. In the spring of 2021 Kaczor was a second team All-American with 70 tackles in eight games. He has played in 43 career games at NDSU racking up 192 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and four pass breakups.
Tutsie is also a sixth-year senior. The Indianapolis, Ind. native, was a first team All-American last season. He has turned into an ironman for NDSU over the past few seasons having started 41 consecutive games at strong safety. Tutsie has appeared in 43 career games for the Bison with 253 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 10 interceptions. He is currently 10th in school history with 136 career solo tackles.
The Bison will kick off the 2022 season hosting Drake on Saturday, Sept. 3, at 2:30 p.m.
2022 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
Defensive Linemen
Brevin Allen, Campbell, Sr., 6-4, 265 (2021 Finalist)
Ty French, Gardner-Webb, Jr., 6-3, 230
Jeblonski Green, South Carolina State, R-Jr., 6-3, 265
Malik Hamm, Lafayette, Sr., 6-3, 260
Jonathan Hammond, Davidson, Jr., 6-2, 227
Titus Leo, Wagner, Gr., 6-4, 245 (2020 and 2021 Finalist)
Jordan Lewis, Southern, Jr., 6-3, 195 (2020 Buck Buchanan Award recipient)
Nate Lynn, William & Mary, Jr., 6-3, 265 (2021 Finalist)
Devonnsha Maxwell, Chattanooga, Sr., 6-3, 296 (2021 Finalist)
Clay Patterson, Yale, Jr., 6-3, 267
Kevin Peprah, Sacred Heart, Sr., 6-2, 235
Markel Perry, Sam Houston, R-Sr., 6-2, 220
Josiah Silver, New Hampshire, So., 6-2, 232
B.J. Thompson, Stephen F. Austin, Sr., 6-6, 210
Spencer Waege, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-5, 278
Linebackers
Kelechi Anyalebechi, UIW, Gr., 6-0, 240 (2021 Finalist)
Adam Bock, South Dakota State, Jr., 6-1, 215 (2021 Finalist)
Spencer Cuvelier, Northern Iowa, R-Sr., 6-3, 245
Jacob Dobbs, Holy Cross, Sr., 6-0, 232 (2021 Finalist)
John Ford II, UT Martin, LB, Gr., 6-3, 230
Ryan Greenhagen, Fordham, Gr., 6-1, 245 (2020 Finalist)
David Hoage, Northern Colorado, Jr., 6-3, 250
Matthew Jackson, Eastern Kentucky, R-Sr., 6-2, 205 (2021 Finalist)
James Kaczor, North Dakota State, Sr., 6-0, 212
Isaiah Land, Florida A&M, Sr., 6-4, 215 (2021 Buck Buchanan Award recipient)
Patrick O’Connell, Montana, R-Sr., 6-2, 225 (2021 Finalist)
Stone Snyder, VMI, Sr., 6-3, 240 (2020 and 2021 Finalist)
Tristan Wheeler, Richmond, R-Jr., 6-2, 228
Defensive Backs
Anthony Adams, Portland, State, Sr., 6-0, 185 (2019 Finalist)
Montrae Braswell, Missouri State, Jr., 6-0, 190
Justin Ford, Montana, R-Sr., 6-2, 190 (2021 Finalist)
Robby Hauck, Montana, R-Sr., 5-10, 185
Ferlando Jordan, Southeastern Louisiana, R-Sr., 6-0, 180
Michael Tutsie, North Dakota State, Sr., 5-11, 193
Kedrick Whitehead, Delaware, Sr., 5-11, 195