Griz Linebacker Earns Another Big Preseason Honor

The major preseason accolades keep pouring in for Montana Grizzly standout linebacker Josh Buss.

Today (Thursday) it was announced that Josh becomes the only Big Sky Conference player named to the 25-man STATS FCS Buck Buchanan Award watch list. The award honors the top defensive player in FCS college football. Josh is one of 10 players who were finalists for last year's award.

This is the fourth preseason recognition for Buss this year. He has also been named Big Sky Conference preseason defensive player of the year, the only Big Sky Conference defender to be named to the STATS FCS first-team All-America list and the only FCS player to earn a spot on the Butkus Award roster, given annually to the best linebacker in college football. Wow! Our thanks to UM Sports Information Director Eric Taber for sending us the latest press release.

That is a lot of pressure to put on a guy before fall camp even gets started. And preseason awards are such a guessing game. Another area of concern is Josh's noticeable absence during spring practices due to a lingering injury. I've done a little snooping around and a few sources have told me that they think he will be fine by the time it counts on September 1 when the Griz open the season at home against Northern Iowa. Let's hope so. Everybody is dying to see what the can do during his senior year. Congratulations on another big preseason honor, Josh, and best of luck!

DB