| 04 January 2012
You can't teach speed, size and athletic ability. You can enhance them, develop them and channel them, but the raw material of 6-7, 235 with agility is rare and immeasurably valuable.
DeForest Buckner announced for Oregon last night at the Semper Fidelis Bowl, a high school all-star game, and it's another reason for already-exhilarated Duck fans to be giddy about the future.
Buckner's athletic ability is so tremendous he plays linebacker for his high school defense, fast enough that last year he chased down Marcus Mariota in the open field in the Hawaii state high school playoffs. He ranges all over the field and plays fierce.
photo right: Buckner's player card from the Semper Fidelis Bowl. It won't be his last.
It's amazing to contemplate a defense that will one day feature Buckner, Bryce Cottrell, Jeremy Castro, and Oshay Dunmore as its playmakers. If you think the Ducks were swarming and relentless in 2011, wait for 2012 and beyond.
It's a great time to be a Duck. Just ask DeForest Buckner. Here's what he told Greg Biggins of espn.com:
“Oregon was home to me,” Buckner said a week ago in talking about why he chose the Ducks. “It had everything I was looking for in a school and not just from a football standpoint. Obviously I love the football program, and I think I fit in really well there. They have a fast, aggressive defense, and they like my size and how I can get up the field.
“I also loved the campus, my relationship with the players and coaches and the academic support. It’s like one big family there and honestly reminds me a lot of what we have here at Punahou. Everyone treated me great on my visit, like I was already part of the team, and after visiting Oregon, I knew I didn’t need to take any other trips.”
