CARBONDALE, Ill. – Southern Illinois safety PJ Jules was named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, given annually to the FCS national Defensive Player of the Year, Stats Perform announced on Tuesday.

A senior at SIU, Jules ranks among the nation’s leaders in tackles (100), pass breakups (10) and tackles for loss (12.0). One of the all-time greats to play at Southern, he ranks second in school history in pass breakups (28) and 20th in tackles (271). Jules was a Stats Perform Preseason All-American, Preseason 1st-Team All-MVFC and was named to the Senior Bowl Watch List.

Jules is the leader of a Saluki defensive unit that ranks 7th in the nation in scoring defense and 4th in yards allowed.

Twice this season, Jules was named MVFC Player of the Week. He earned the distinction for his Week 2 performance – a 12-tackle, 2.5 TFL, 3 PBU effort at Northern Illinois, and again in Week 3, after a career-high 15-tackle, 3 PBU game at SEMO.

The Buchanan Award, first presented in 1995 and in its 29th season, is named for legendary defensive lineman Junious “Buck” Buchanan, who starred at Grambling State as part of his Hall of Fame career. Past recipients include Dexter Coakley, Rashean Mathis, Jared Allen and Arthur Moats.

Thirty players, comprising all 15 FCS conferences, make up the Buck Buchanan Award finalist list. The winner, to be selected by a national voting panel, will be announced at the FCS National Awards Banquet on Jan. 6 in Frisco, Texas – the eve of the FCS championship game.