BIOGRAPHY
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 recorded 73 tackles as a senior and was named first-team all-state at DE. Bucker was also a four-year letterwinner in basketball, earning first-team all-state and first-team all-ILH (Interscholatistic League of Honolulu) honors during his senior year.
In January 2012, he committed to the University of Oregon to play college football. Buckner played in all 13 games as a true freshman, making two starts. Following his senior season, Buckner officially announced that he would be entering the 2016 NFL Draft. He was considered one of the top ranked defensive ends in the draft. The San Francisco 49ers selected Buckner in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
On March 18, 2020, the 49ers traded Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for their 1st round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He then signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension, making him the second-highest paid defensive tackle.
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. 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. Buckner was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive for the virus on November 25, 2020, and activated on December 4. In Week 15 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. Buckner was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Month for his performance in December. On January 8, 2021, Buckner was named a first team All-Pro for the 2020 season.
During his time at Oregon, Buckner used art as an outlet for his emotions outside of football, even earning the nickname “Dr. DeFo” from his art professor for his passion, focus and patience with his pieces. Buckner enrolled in a class called “Art of the Athlete,” which provides engagement for student-athletes through the visual arts and has the student-athletes help in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art workshops for children with disabilities. During the open exhibition at the end of the class, Buckner was awarded with the highest honor, the breakout artist award for his piece titled “King of Pop” showing himself in a Michael Jackson type pose that was spray painted on vinyl.
In his free time, DeForest Buckner likes to hunt.
