TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –– The Dark Cloud Defense is the best in the nation, largely due to the leadership of linebacker Isaiah Major. Major's play this season has earned him to be a Buck Buchanan Award Finalist, the FCS National Defensive Player of the Year Award.
 
"Isaiah Major is continuing the tradition of standout defensive players here at FAMU, following in the footsteps of guys like current NFL players Markquese Bell and Isaiah Land," said Head Coach Willie Simmons. "His relentless motor, tenacity, instincts, and overall playmaking ability make him one of the nation's best defensive players!" 
 
Major leads the Dark Cloud Defense with 94 total tackles, 55 solo tackles, and 11.5 tackles for loss. Major also added four quarterback hurries, two sacks, two pass breakups, a fumble recovery, and a pick-six this season. Major earned SWAC Defensive Player of the Week and was honorable mention National Defensive Player of the Week, following his 11 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks performance at South Florida.
 
Major recorded a season-high 12 tackles and the game-sealing pick-six versus Alabama State. Major also had two or more tackles for loss in three games, including three at South Florida and Mississippi Valley State.
 
Major is currently ranked 23rd in the nation in solo tackles per game (5), 39th in total tackles per game (8.5), and 57th in tackles for loss per game (1.05). Major leads a defense that's ranked top-19 in 11 categories.
 
Defensive Rankings (Top-19)
• 19th - Passing Yards Allowed
• 16th - 1st Down Defense
• 8th - Red Zone Defense
• 6th - Sacks
• 4th - Defensive Touchdowns
• 3rd - Passing Efficiency Defense
• 2nd - 3rd Down Defense
• 2nd - Rushing Defense
• 2 - Scoring Defense
• 1st - Tackles for Loss
• 1st - Total Defense
 
The complete list of finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award can be found here.
 
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