McShane named to Buchanan Award Watch List

July 15, 2026

Cullen McShane #5 of the South Dakota State Jackrabbits leaps over a blocker to get to quarterback Matthew Schecklman #3 of the UNI Panthers at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium on Oct. 11, 2025 in Brookings.(Photo by Dave Eggen/Inertia)

From SDSU Sports Information

CHICAGO — South Dakota State linebacker Cullen McShane was named Tuesday to the initial watch list for the Stats Perform FCS Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented yearly by Stats Perform to the top defensive player in the Football Championship Subdivision.

A senior from Marquette, Iowa, McShane was one of 30 players to receive mention on the watch list, which will be updated periodically throughout the 2026 campaign. The 32nd winner of the award will be determined by a media panel and will be announced leading up to the FCS national championship game in January.

McShane is coming off a 2025 season in which he ranked second on the Jackrabbits' squad with 88 total tackles. He added 7.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble en route to being named to the all-Missouri Valley Football Conference Second Team.

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