Brett Taylor chose to remain in his hometown for his college football career.

Still, the reputation of the Macomb High School graduate and Western Illinois player is known far and wide.

Taylor on Friday capped his standout career with a runner-up finish in voting for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented each year to the defensive player of the year in the Football Championship Subdivision.

In voting by a national panel of 151 sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries, Taylor was nipped by one point (304-303) in balloting by Jacksonville State defensive end Darius Jackson.

Jackson was revealed as the winner at the STATS FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation in Frisco, Texas, the site of Saturday's FCS national championship game between North Dakota State and James Madison. Defensive end Andrew Ankrah of James Madison joined Taylor and Jackson as finalists for the honor.

Taylor, a senior linebacker, was edged by Jackson despite having more first- and second-place votes. The panel could vote for five players, with the point value ranging from five points for first place through one point for fifth place.

​Taylor was attempting to becomes the third WIU player to win the Buchanan. James Milton won in 1998 and Edgerton Hartwell in 2000.

Jackson, a senior, broke his own Jacksonville State single-season record with 20.5 tackles for loss.

Taylor, the Missouri Valley Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year, is ranked No. 1 in the FCS in tackles (162) and tackles per game (13.5).

Illinois State senior cornerback Davontae Harris tied for 22nd in voting.

The Buchanan Award is named for the late Grambling State star who is in the college and pro football halls of fame. Taylor finished seventh in last year's voting for the award.

Also Friday, the STATS FCS offensive player of the year award — named for Walter Payton — was won by Sam Houston State quarterback Jeremiah Briscoe for the second year in a row.