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Fordham’s James Conway became the greatest tackler in DI history after setting the record for career tackles. Conway’s second tackle of the day against Georgetown on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025 moved him past the 577 career tackles record set by Troy’s Carlton Martial (2018-22).  Conway finished the day with nine total tackles, bringing his career total to 585. 

Conway previously broke the FCS tackles record during his 16-tackle game against Lehigh on Oct. 25, passing the record on his 12th tackle of the game.

All-time NCAA tackles leaders

No. of Tackles
Division
Player (Team)
Years Played

633
Division II
Conner Harris (Lindenwood)
2012-16

605
Division III
Ryan Slager (Grinnell)
2015-18

585
FCS
James Conway (Fordham)
2021-25

577
FBS
Carlton Martial (Troy)
2018-22

550
FCS
Boomer Grigsby (Illinois State)
2001-04

MORE RECORDS: See all of the records in FCS football

The DI record is the icing on the cake for James Conway’s great start to his 2025 season. He has had double-digit tackles in all but three games this season, peaking with 20 tackles against Monmouth.

Conway joins his former Fordham teammate Ryan Greenhagen in the FCS tackling record books after Greenhagen set the FCS single-game tackling record with 31 tackles against Nebraska in 2021.

Conway’s career single-game highs in tackles

22 — Lehigh, 2021
21 — Holy Cross, 2023
20 — Monmouth, 2025
19 — Holy Cross, 2025
17 — Boston College, 2025
17 — Holy Cross, 2025
16 — Lehigh, 2025
16 — Holy Cross, 2021
15 — Stony Brook, 2025
15 — Stony Brook, 2022
15 — UAlbany, 2022
15 — FAU, 2021

The tackling record is the latest accomplishment in Conway’s great career. In 2024, Conway impressively earned All-Patriot League honors despite playing in only four games due to injury. He’s earned all-conference honors in every year of his collegiate career. As a true freshman in 2021, Conway set the Fordham single-season freshman tackles record at 131, also the third-most single-season tackles in Fordham history.

James Conway stats by year*

Year
Games
Tackles
Solo
TFLs
Sacks
FF
FR
INT
PBU

2021
11
131
61
6
0
4
1
1
2

2022
12
127
59
11
3
1
1
0
3

2023
11
129
55
6
0
2
1
0
2

2024
4
49
17
2.5
0
0
0
0
0

Career
38
436
192
25.5
3
7
3
1
7

*2025 season still underway. Stats not included

Stan Becton joined NCAA.com in 2021 and has since served as a college football, FCS football, track and field, cross country and HBCU beat reporter. He has covered numerous NCAA championship events, including the FCS Championship, DI Track & Field Championships and Men’s Frozen Four. Additionally, he has covered the College Football Playoff and HBCU sporting events like the Celebration Bowl, MEAC/SWAC Challenge and Legacy Classic. Stan graduated from Carnegie Mellon University, earning a degree in Professional Writing and playing football as a five-year letterman. You can follow him on Twitter @stan_becton.

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