Oregon Ducks Defensive End DeForest Buckner On Three Preseason Watch Lists
At the end of last season DeForest Buckner had a decision to make, to remain at Oregon for his Senior year, or leave early for the National Football League. Teammate Arik Armstead departed early and was rewarded, being selected in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers. Buckner decided to remain at Oregon for his Senior year and so far, several Pre-Season watch lists have taken notice.
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According to GoDucks.com, last week Buckner was named to the Bednarik and Nagursky Award lists, both honor College Football’s Defensive Player of the Year. Earlier this week, along with Offensive Tackle Tyler Johnstone, Buckner saw his name added to the Preseason Watch List for the Rotary Lombardi Award. According to their website, the award “is limited to down lineman who set up no farther than 10 yards to the left or right of the ball, or linebackers who set up no farther than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage.”
Along with Senior Alex Balducci, Buckner needs to lead a fairly young group on the Defensive Line including Freshman Canton Kaumatule, Jalen Jelks, and Rex Manu from the Class of 2015. He should be a key contributor on the Defense in 2015 and has the tools to be a leader for Coordinator Don Pellum and the Ducks Defense.