DES MOINES, Iowa -- After being named to the Buck Buchanan Award Watch List in the summer, Drake football defensive lineman Finn Claypool has been named as a finalist for the award presented each season to the best defensive player in the Football Championship Series (FCS). 

Claypool is one of 30 finalists compiled by Stats Perform. The Des Moines native has racked up 55 tackles (33 solo), 19 TFL (79 yards), 12.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, eight quarterback hurries and two pass breakups from the defensive end position. Claypool ranks second in the FCS in sacks and fifth in tackles for loss. 

The Bulldogs (8-3, 8-0) qualified for the FCS playoffs for the first time in school history after their first outright Pioneer Football League title since 2004. Drake will travel to North Dakota State to face the Bison in the first round at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25.