Elon, N.C. – Elon senior defensive back Marcus Hillman has been named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, presented annually to the national defensive player of the year in college football's Division I subdivision. The Buchanan Award, first presented in 1995 and in its 28^th season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious "Buck" Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career.
 
Hillman is the fourth Elon student-athlete to be recognized as a finalist for the award in program history, joining Chad Nkang (2005 and 2006), Warren Messer (2017) and Greg Liggs, Jr. (2019). Nkang finished fifth in the final voting in 2005.
 
Hillman is one of four members of CAA Football among the 30 finalists for the award. He is one of just six defensive backs listed.
 
In 2022, Hillman has posted one of the most dominant all-around defensive seasons in the program's FCS history. He leads the team with 73 tackles (almost double his 2021 season total of 38) and has a team-best 16.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, to go with four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, four quarterback hurries and three passes defended. Hillman's 16.5 tackles for loss are the most for a Phoenix defender since Joshua Jones had 17.0 in 2011 and they rank 11^th in the country. His 8.5 sacks are tied for the most in Elon's FCS era and ranked 16^th nationally. He is tied for sixth in the country in forced fumbles and among the top 20 in fumbles recovered. He has eight career forced fumbles, the most in Elon's 23-year FCS history.
 
Among defensive backs named as finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, Hillman leads in solo tackles, tackles for loss, sacks, quarterback hurries, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries.
 
A national media panel will select the Buchanan Award winner, with voting based on the regular season. The recipient will be announced at the FCS National Awards banquet on Jan. 7 in Frisco, Texas – on the eve of the national championship game.