DeForest Buckner

DeForest George Buckner[1] (born March 17, 1994) is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Oregon, and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. With the 49ers, he made a Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2019.

DeForest Buckner
Buckner with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016
No. 99 – Indianapolis Colts
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born: (1994-03-17) March 17, 1994
Waianae, Hawaii
Height:6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight:295 lb (134 kg)
Career information
High school:Punahou School
(Honolulu, Hawaii)
College:Oregon
NFL Draft:2016 / Round: 1 / Pick: 7
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2020
Total tackles:321
Sacks:38.0
Forced fumbles:5
Fumble recoveries:8
Pass deflections:14
Defensive touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Buckner was born to a Samoan mother and African American father.[2] He attended the Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was rated as a four-star recruit.[3] He also was a teammate of Ka'imi Fairbairn, currently the kicker of the Houston Texans. In January 2012, he committed to the University of Oregon to play college football.[4] Buckner also played basketball in high school.[5]

College career

Buckner played in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2012, making two starts. He finished his freshman season with 29 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and 1.0 sack.[6] As a sophomore in 2013, Buckner started eight of 13 games, recording 39 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks.[7] As a junior in 2014, he finished the year with 81 tackles, 13 for a loss, and 4.0 sacks.[8] Buckner was considered a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, but chose to return for his senior season to graduate and improve his draft stock.[9] As a senior in 2015, Buckner improved even further, achieving career highs in tackles, with 83, tackles for a loss, with 17, and sacks, with 10.5.[8]

Buckner was voted the 2015 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year by the Pac-12 coaches, joining Haloti Ngata as the second Oregon Duck to ever win the award.[10] He was awarded the Morris Trophy for best Pac-12 defensive lineman (voted on by opposing players) and was named a first-team All-American. Following his senior season, Buckner officially announced he would enter the 2016 NFL Draft. He was considered one of top-ranked defensive ends in the draft.[11]

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand size40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 7 in
(2.01 m)		 291 lb
(132 kg)		 34 3⁄8 in
(0.87 m)		 11 3⁄4 in
(0.30 m)		5.05 s1.77 s2.96 s4.47 s7.51 s32 in
(0.81 m)		9 ft 8 in
(2.95 m)
All values from NFL Combine,[12]

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers selected Buckner in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.[13][14] He was the second consecutive Oregon defensive end selected in the first round by the 49ers, joining Arik Armstead who was selected 17th overall in 2015. They went on to draft Solomon Thomas who was another Pac-12 defensive end in 2017.

2016 season

Buckner made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams, recording one tackle in the 28–0 shutout win.[15] During Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills, he recorded his first two NFL sacks on quarterback Tyrod Taylor twice and recovered a fumble forced by former college teammate Arik Armstead on Taylor during the 45–16 road loss.[16] During Week 14 against the New York Jets, Buckner sacked Bryce Petty twice during the 23–17 overtime loss.[17]

Buckner finished his rookie year with 73 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a pass deflection in 15 games and starts. He led all NFL defensive lineman with 1,108 snaps on the season and ranked second with his 73 tackles. Buckner's six sacks ranked fourth among rookies.[18]

2017 season

Buckner and the defense played well against the Carolina Panthers in the season opener, holding quarterback Cam Newton to only 171 yards passing and three yards rushing despite losing 23-3.[19] Three weeks later against the Arizona Cardinals, Buckner recorded his first sack of the year on Carson Palmer during the 18–15 overtime road loss.[20] During Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans, Buckner recorded a season high 9 tackles and half a sack on former college teammate Marcus Mariota during a narrow 25–23 win.[21]

Buckner finished his second season with 61 tackles, five pass deflections, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games and starts.[22]

2018 season

In the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Buckner sacked Kirk Cousins 2.5 times during a 24–16 road loss.[23] In the next game against the Detroit Lions, he sacked Matthew Stafford once in a narrow 30–27 win. After the first two games of the season, Buckner eclipsed his 2017 sack total.[24] During Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, Buckner sacked Russell Wilson twice during the 43–16 road loss.[25] Two weeks later against the Seahawks, Buckner recorded a season high 11 tackles and sacked Wilson two more times during the 26–23 overtime win.[26]

Buckner finished his third season with 67 tackles, three pass deflections, a fumble recovery, and a career high 12 sacks, the most by a 49ers player since Aldon Smith had 19.5 during the 2012 season.[27] He was named to his first Pro Bowl as a result.[28]

2019 season
Buckner in a game against the Washington Redskins

On April 24, 2019, the 49ers exercised the fifth-year option on Buckner's contract.[29]

During Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buckner recorded his first sack of the season on Andy Dalton during the 41–17 road victory.[30] In the next game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buckner recorded a season high 10 tackles, sacked Mason Rudolph once, and recovered a fumble forced by teammate Arik Armstead on James Conner late in the fourth quarter to help seal a 24–20 win.[31] After a Week 4 bye, the 49ers hosted the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. In that game, Buckner recorded a strip sack on Baker Mayfield which was recovered by teammate Nick Bosa as the 49ers won by a score of 31–3.[32] During Week 10 against the Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football, Buckner recovered a fumble forced by teammate K'Waun Williams on running back Rashaad Penny. Later in the game, Buckner recovered a fumble lost by offensive tackle Germain Ifedi and returned it for a 12 yard touchdown during the 27–24 overtime loss.[33] Three weeks later against the Baltimore Ravens, Buckner sacked Lamar Jackson once during the 20–17 road loss. With this sack, Buckner recorded at least one sack in every game against the AFC North during the season.[34]

Buckner finished the 2019 season with 61 tackles, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, and a touchdown in 16 games and starts.[35] On January 3, 2020, Buckner was named as a second-team all-pro for his accomplishments during the 2019 season.[36]

Buckner made his playoff debut in the NFC Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Minnesota Vikings. During the game, he sacked Kirk Cousins once in the 27–10 win.[37] In the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, Buckner recovered a fumble lost by Aaron Rodgers during the 37–20 win.[38] In Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, Buckner sacked quarterback Patrick Mahomes 1.5 times during the 31–20 loss.[39]

Indianapolis Colts

On March 18, 2020, the 49ers traded Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for their 1st round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.[40] He then signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension, making him the second-highest paid defensive tackle.[41]

In Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, Buckner recorded his first sack as a Colt on Kirk Cousins in the end zone for a safety during the 28–11 win.[42] In Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers, Buckner recovered a fumble forced by teammate Julian Blackmon on wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling early in overtime to help the Colts win the game 34–31.[43] Buckner was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus on November 25, 2020.[44][45] and activated on December 4.[46] In Week 16 against the Houston Texans had a career-high three sacks on Deshaun Watson, including a strip sack that was recovered by the Colts, during the 27–20 win, earning AFC Defensive Player of the Week.[47][48] Buckner was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for his performance in December.[49] On January 8, 2021, Buckner was named a first team All-Pro for the 2020 season.[50]

NFL statistics
Regular season statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GPGSCombTotalAstSacksFFFRYdsTDIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2016SF 15157343306.00200000.0001
2017SF 16166145163.01000000.0005
2018SF 161667442312.00100000.0003
2019SF 16166234287.524121000.0002
2020IND 15144526199.52100000.0001
Career65642631669730.537121000.00011
Postseason statistics
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles Interceptions
GPGSCombTotalAstSacksFFFRYdsTDIntYdsAvgLngTDPD
2019SF 3312932.51100000.0000
Career3312932.51100000.0000

Personal life

Buckner is married to Ashlyn Buckner. They have one son together.[51]

Buckner is a Christian. He was baptized on October 19, 2020.[51]

References
  1. "DeForest Buckner" (PDF). San Francisco 49ers 2017 Season Media Guide. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  2. Quick, Jason. "Deconstructing DeForest Buckner: How The Man of the Oregon defensive line first became a man". The Oregonian. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  3. Wharton, Ian. "DeForest Buckner Offers Impact Skill Set, Versatility in 2016 NFL Draft". Bleacher Report. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
  4. "Countdown to signing day: Defensive end DeForest Buckner could be next Dion Jordan for Oregon Ducks". OregonLive.com.
  5. Sleeping Giant
  6. "Freshmen Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner and Alex Balducci in a class of their own on Oregon's D-line". OregonLive.com.
  7. "Ducks' defensive linemen double trouble for opponents". Statesman Journal. August 18, 2014.
  8. "Sports-Reference DeForest Buckner".
  9. Greif, Andrew (June 20, 2015). "Oregon's DeForest Buckner: 'Deep down I wanted to leave' for NFL before returning to Ducks". oregonlive. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  10. "DeForest Buckner surprised, honored to be Pac-12 defensive player of the year". NBC Sports Northwest. December 12, 2015. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  11. Brooks, Bucky (January 29, 2016). "Top five 2016 NFL Draft prospects by position". NFL.com. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  12. "NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - DeForest Buckner". National Football League.
  13. "NFL draft: Results, analysis for every Round 1 pick". ESPN.com. April 29, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
  14. Emerick (April 28, 2016). "San Francisco 49ers Draft Oregon DL DeForest Buckner". 49ers.com. Retrieved July 3, 2017.
  15. "49ers open Chip Kelly era with 28-0 victory over Rams". www.espn.com. Associated Press. September 12, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  16. "McCoy scores 3 TDs in Bills 45-16 win over 49ers". www.espn.com. Associated Press. October 16, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  17. "Powell, Petty rally Jets past 49ers 23-17 in overtime". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 11, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  18. "DeForest Buckner 2016 Game Log". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  19. "Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers - September 10th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 8, 2017.
  20. "Palmer's TD toss to Fitzgerald beats 49ers in OT". www.espn.com. Associated Press. October 1, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
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  22. "DeForest Buckner 2017 Game Log". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  23. "Cousins, Vikings hold on for 24-16 victory vs. 49ers". www.espn.com. Associated Press. September 9, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
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  27. "DeForest Buckner 2018 Game Log". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  28. "49ers DL DeForest Buckner Named to 2019 Pro Bowl - January 15, 2019".
  29. "49ers Exercise Fifth-year Option on DL DeForest Buckner". 49ers.com. April 24, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
  30. "Garoppolo throws 3 TDs, 49ers roll over Bengals 41-17". www.espn.com. Associated Press. September 15, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  31. "Sloppy 49ers beat Steelers 24-20 on late Garoppolo TD pass". www.espn.com. Associated Press. September 22, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  32. "49ers stay perfect, dominate Mayfield, Browns in 31-3 win". www.espn.com. Associated Press. October 7, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  33. "Seahawks knock 49ers from unbeaten ranks with 27-24 OT win". www.espn.com. Associated Press. November 11, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  34. "Jackson, Ravens beat 49ers 20-17 to extend win streak to 8". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 1, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  35. "DeForest Buckner 2019 Game Log". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  36. Shook, Nick (January 3, 2020). "2019 All-Pro Team: Jackson, McCaffrey highlight roster". nfl.com. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  37. "49ers win 1st playoff game in 6 years, 27-10 over Vikings". www.espn.com. Associated Press. January 11, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  38. "Mostert lifts 49ers to Super Bowl with 37-20 win vs Packers". www.espn.com. Associated Press. January 19, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2020.
  39. "Mahomes leads Chiefs' rally past 49ers in Super Bowl, 31-20". www.espn.com. Associated Press. February 2, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  40. Walker, Andrew (March 18, 2020). "Colts Acquire All-Pro Defensive Tackle DeForest Buckner From 49ers". Colts.com. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  41. Patra, Kevin (March 16, 2020). "Colts acquire DeForest Buckner for first-round pick". NFL.com.
  42. "Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts - September 20th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  43. "Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts - November 22nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
  44. Patra, Kevin. "DeForest Buckner tested positive for COVID-19, to miss Sunday's game vs. Titans". NFL.com. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  45. Mock, Brett (November 26, 2020). "Colts News: Colts place DeForest Buckner on reserve/COVID-19 list". Stampede Blue. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
  46. @Colts (December 4, 2020). "DT DeForest Buckner has been activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list" (Tweet). Retrieved December 31, 2020 – via Twitter.
  47. "Colts' DeForest Buckner dominant against Texans again". Houston Chronicle. December 21, 2020.
  48. Gordon, Grant (December 23, 2020). "Bills QB Josh Allen, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray lead Players of the Week". NFL.com.
  49. Gordon, Grant (January 7, 2021). "Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Bills QB Josh Allen among Players of the Month". www.nfl.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  50. "2020 All-Pro Team: Aaron Donald, Travis Kelce highlight roster". January 8, 2021.
  51. Ackerman, Jon. "Colts' DeForest Buckner gets baptized: 'Today I surrendered my whole self to Jesus'". Sports Spectrum. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
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