STATS PERFORM – Indiana State redshirt senior defensive back Kimal Clark was named to the prestigious Buck Buchanan Award finalist list, as announced by the organization on Tuesday morning.
 
Clark, a Lackawanna, N.Y. native, is one of just three Missouri Valley Football Conference players on the list, joining North Dakota State linebacker Logan Kopp and Illinois State linebacker Tye Niekamp. The award is presented to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football.
 
Clark finished his first season at Indiana State as the Missouri Valley Football tackling leader with 145 stops and 12.08 tackles per game. He finished second overall in the NCAA FCS in total tackles per game on the year.
 
Clark recorded 10 games with at least 10 tackles on the season, excelling in conference play posting a season-high 19 tackles against Illinois State, while adding 16 against Murray and 15 against both South Dakota State and North Dakota State. The Preseason Third Team All-American added 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, while adding two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
 
He finished the 2025 campaign tied for fifth all-time in Indiana State history in tackles in a single season. Clark is the first Sycamore to be named a Buck Buchanan finalist.
 
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. Past Buchanan recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis and Jared Allen. Central Arkansas' David Walker was last season's winner.
 
All 13 FCS conferences are represented by a finalist. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the Stats Perform FCS National Awards Show on Jan. 3 in Nashville, Tennessee.
 
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