FARGO, N.D. - North Dakota State linebacker Logan Kopp is among the 30 finalists announced Tuesday, Nov. 25, for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

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. NDSU has had 12 finalists including the 2014 award winner, defensive end Kyle Emanuel.

Kopp, a senior from St. Louis, Mo., was a finalist for the Buchanan award in 2023 and made the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference first team in 2023 and 2024. He ranks seventh in the MVFC this year with a team-high 9.0 tackles for loss and has 64 total tackles and 3.0 sacks.

Kopp is one of three MVFC players among the finalists joining Illinois State linebacker Tye Niekamp and Indiana State defensive back Kimal Clark.

No. 1-ranked North Dakota State (12-0) will host either Illinois State or No. 16 seed Southeastern Louisiana in the second round of the NCAA Division I Football Championship at noon Saturday, Dec. 6. Tickets are on sale at GoBison.com/tickets.