SIU safety PJ Jules finished sixth in the Stats Perform FCS voting for the Buchanan Award, given annually to the nation's top FCS defensive player.
30 players representing every FCS conference were among the finalists.
Jules, a senior and preseason All-American, was the highest finisher for the award in school history.
Previous finalists for SIU included safety Alexis Moreland in 2003, linebacker Brandin Jordan in 2009, cornerback Korey Lindsey 2010) and safety Jeremy Chinn in 2019.
Jules led this season's team and ranked among the nation's leaders in tackles, tackles for loss and pass breakups.
