DeForest Buckner
DeForest Buckner is an American football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. 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 in 2019.
Early years
Buckner was born to a Samoan mother and African American father. He attended Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was rated as a four-star recruit. 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. Buckner also played basketball in high school.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. As a sophomore in 2013, Buckner started eight of 13 games, recording 39 tackles, 3.5 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. As a junior in 2014, he finished the year with 81 tackles, 13 for a loss, and 4.0 sacks. 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. 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.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. He was awarded the Morris Trophy for best Pac-12 defensive lineman 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.
Professional career
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers selected Buckner in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. 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: Rookie
Buckner made his NFL debut in the season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams, recording one tackle in the 28–0 shutout win. 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. During Week 14 against the New York Jets, Buckner sacked Bryce Petty twice during the 23–17 overtime loss.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.
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. 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. 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.Buckner finished his second season with 61 tackles, five pass deflections, three sacks, and a forced fumble in 16 games and starts.
2018 season
In the season-opener against the Minnesota Vikings, Buckner sacked Kirk Cousins 2.5 times during a 24–16 road loss. 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. During Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, Buckner sacked Russell Wilson twice during the 43–16 road loss. 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.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. He was named to his first Pro Bowl as a result.
2019 season
On April 24, 2019, the 49ers exercised the fifth-year option on Buckner's contract.During Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Buckner recorded his first sack of the season on Andy Dalton during the 41–17 road victory. 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. 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. 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. 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.
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.
On January 3, 2020, Buckner was named as a second-team all-pro for his accomplishments during the 2019 season.
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. In the NFC Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers, Buckner recovered a fumble lost by Aaron Rodgers during the 37–20 win. In Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs, Buckner sacked quarterback Patrick Mahomes 1.5 times during the 31–20 loss.