The Oregon defense had a completely dominant performance in the Pac-12 Championship Game, in which Arizona had just 25 first-half yards of offense, and the Ducks ultimately won the game, 51-13. There were many impressive performers among the Ducks defenders, but the star of the unit Friday night was junior defensive end DeForest Buckner.
A disruptive presence along the line of scrimmage throughout the game, Buckner brought pressure on numerous occasions, including two combined sacks (he was credited with a half-sack for each), while he also made a number of strong stops around the line of scrimmage versus the run.
A
6’7”, 290-pound defensive end who has the size and athleticism to line up on either inside or outside, Buckner has emerged as an excellent player in his junior year. He uses his hands well, rarely gets driven off the line of scrimmage on running plays and has great burst in pursuit for a man of his measurables.
Recognized as a
second-team All-Pac-12 selection this year, Buckner leads the Ducks with 11.5 tackles for loss.
Buckner’s not a household name yet, but he’ll likely be a high selection if he declares for the draft.
Former NFL scout John Middlekauff sees Buckner as “a top-20 pick.”
While the second round might be a more realistic landing spot for the Oregon defensive end, his physical traits and schematic versatility will lead him to rise. Coming out of Oregon’s 3-4 system, he might project best to playing as a 5-technique defensive end in the NFL, but he could also fit in a 4-3 front.
Current Draft Projection: Rounds 1-2
