Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

PHILADELPHIA -- University of Delaware senior defensive back Charles Graves has been selected as a pre-season candidate for The Sports Network Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

Graves, who was named to the TSN pre-season All-American team earlier this month, is one of 20 pre-season candidates named to the Watch List for the award. The list will be updated throughout the 2009 season with three finalists being announced on Nov. 30. The award will be presented December 17 at the annual TSN Awards Banquet at Chattanooga, Tenn. The winner is selected from a vote of sports information directors and media members who represent and cover FCS teams.

The list is being announced alphabetically during the summer. Previous players named to the list were Larry Hart of Central Arkansas, Southern Illinois’ Brandin Jordan, Murray State’s Austen Lane, Christian Anthony of Grambling, Danny Batten of South Dakota State, Tommy Connors of Southeastern Louisiana, Dane Fletcher of Montana State, Keith LeGree of Appalachian State, Massachusetts’ Jeromy Miles, Josh Morris of Weber State, and Osayi Osunde of Villanova.

A senior safety from Raleigh, N.C. (Southeast Raleigh High School), Graves enjoyed an outstanding junior campaign in 2008 when he led a Blue Hen defensive unit that was a highlight in an otherwise disappointing 4-8 season. He led the team with 78 tackles, including 43 solo stops, and ranked among the league leaders with five interceptions. He also ranked second on the team with five pass breakups and also recovered two fumbles, returning one 45 yards for a touchdown vs. Massachusetts.

For his efforts he earned second team All-American honors by the Associated Press, was a first team All-CAA pick, and was selected to the College Sporting News Fabulous Fifty FCS All-American team. In addition, he was named the Blue Hens Touchdown Club Defensive Player of the Week three times.

Delaware will begin pre-season practice August 8 in preparation for the season-opener on Friday, Sept. 4 vs. West Chester at Delaware Stadium at 7 p.m.