Stephen Cooper, a senior linebacker at the University of Maine, is among 16 players listed as “Buchanan Battle” candidates for the eighth Buck Buchanan Award given by The Sports Network.

Cooper was a finalist last season for the honor, which is presented to the top defensive player in Div. I-AA football. The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder led the Black Bears last season with 95 tackles and posted five sacks and two interceptions.

The Buchanan list will undergo three revisions prior to the mailing of ballots on Nov. 25. James Madison linebacker Derrick Lloyd was the 2001 recipient.