Fifth-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs of the Holy Cross football team has been named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, as announced by Stats Perform on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The award, given annually to the national defensive player of the year in Division I FCS college football, is presented by FedEx Ground. Dobbs is now a two-time finalist for the award after earning the same honor in 2021. 

In 2023, Dobbs ranked as one of the most elite defensive players in the nation, totaling 123 tackles (63 solo), 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles and 14 quarterback hurries in nine games. He recorded double-digit tackles in every contest; his 13.7 tackles per game and 7.0 solo tackles per game both ranked as the second-best marks in the nation.

Dobbs finished his Holy Cross career as the all-time leading tackler in Patriot League history, with 432 tackles to his name in 43 career games — ranking third in school history. His 46.5 tackles for loss are the most in Holy Cross history, while his 22.5 sacks are fourth in school history.

He is one of just two players in Holy Cross history to be named a four-time captain of the Crusaders. In his storied career, Dobbs was named to the All-Patriot League team four times, and was the 2021 and 2023 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, in addition to earning All-America honors in 2021. 

Dobbs is also a finalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the absolute best scholar-athlete in all of college football; he was additionally named to the watch list for the Comeback Player of the Year Award in honor of his return to the Crusaders following a season-ending injury in 2022.  

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