HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University linebacker Jake Dalmado is one of 30 student-athletes named to the 2026 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List, Stats Perform announced Tuesday.
 
In its 32^nd season, the Buck Buchanan Award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player in FCS and is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling as part of his Hall of Fame career.
 
Southeastern has produced five Buchanan Award finalists, including defensive back Robert Alford (2012), linebacker Isiah Corbett (2014), defensive back Harlan Miller (2015), linebacker Sione Teuhema (2017) and defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor (2026).
 
Dalmado, who was named to the Stats Perform FCS Preseason All-America Team Monday, joined the Lion roster prior to spring practice after starting his collegiate career at Southland Conference rival Nicholls. Originally a running back for the Colonels, he made the switch to defense in 2024. He was a two-time All-Southland Conference performer for the Colonels, recording 142 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
 
Head coach Frank Scelfo, quarterback Kyle Lowe and defensive lineman Peyton Anderson will represent the Lions at the Southland Conference Football Opening Drive Media Day Tuesday, July 21 in Houston, Texas. The event will air on ESPN+ starting at 9 a.m. with Southeastern's segment scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
 
Southeastern will open the 2026 season Aug. 27, hosting HCU in Strawberry Stadium. The Lions will report to campus for fall camp July 27 with the first practice set for July 28.
 
2026 Buck Buchanan Award Preseason Watch List
Jake Dalmado, LB, Southeastern
Camden Byrd, DL, Richmond
Brodie Carroll, LB, Elon
Rex Connors, DB, UC Davis
Mikey D'Amato, LB, Cal Poly
Rohan Davy, LB, Rhode Island
Caden Dowler, DB, Montana State
Eli Ennis, LB, SFA
Anthony Ferrelli, LB, Stony Brook
Jordan Franklin, LB, South Carolina State
Damien Henderson, DB, Harvard
Andrew Huff, DL, Lamar
Mirko Jaksic, DL, Dayton
Christopher Jean, DB, Central Connecticut State
Jaylon Jenkins DB, Eastern Washington
Jaeden Jones, DB, Monmouth
Abu Kamara, DB, Yale
Cullen McShane, LB, South Dakota State
Ken Moore Jr., DB, Western Carolina
Tye Niekamp, LB, Illinois State
Nick Peltekian, DB, Lehigh
Dylan Rowsey, DB, Murray State
Lance Rucker, DL, North Dakota
Ta'Shaun Sims, DB, Alabama State
Kaden Smith, LB, Eastern Kentucky
Joshua Stoneking, DL, Furman
Trey Watkins, DB, LIU
Michael Wells, DL, Youngstown State
Peyton Wing, LB, Montana
Steve Zayachkowsky, LB, Charleston Southern
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net. Southeastern will continue offering mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets. All tickets will be available via e-mail or text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Football, follow @LionUpFootball and @Coach_Scelfo on X, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and follow @lionupfootball on Instagram.
 
TOUCHDOWN CLUB/S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the football program are encouraged to join the Touchdown Club. Lion football alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Touchdown Club and S Club (football) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern football program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics observes a clear bag policy for all ticketed events. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.