By Mark Eckel, Player Engagement Insider
DeForest Buckner was a 2016 NFL first-round Draft pick, a top 10 pick at that, going No. 7 overall to the San Francisco 49ers. It wasn’t his greatest accomplishment this year.
Buckner, the 49ers’ rookie defensive end and one of the top rookies in his class, graduated from the University of Oregon in just three-and-a-half years and walked with his class earlier this month.
“That was really important for me,’’ Buckner said of getting his degree. “That’s why I went to college in the first place, to get an education. I was so close to being finished, I didn’t want to leave without it.’’
He didn’t. And he earned it midway through his senior year. So when his football career is over some time down the road, there will be other options for him.
“The NFL isn’t for life,’’ Buckner said “It’s not a real long career when you compare it to other careers. You never know how long you’re going to be able to play, so I wanted to have a back-up plan. Having my degree will make that a lot easier.
“I mean having a degree is just so important for anyone. But no matter how long I play in the NFL, I still wanted to make sure I had that.’’
Buckner received his diploma when he walked with his Oregon classmates on June 13th. Kent Alterman, a 1981 Oregon grad and the president of the cable channel Comedy Central, gave the commencement speech, but it was no joke.
“From day one, I wanted to graduate and then my advisor put me on track where I could finish early,’’ Buckner said.
“(Walking at graduation) was important, especially for my parents. They watched me put all of this hard work in, so I wanted to do it for them. To see me up on stage and get my degree, it was great for them.’’
Buckner’s parents, his grandmother, his younger brother, and several other family members made the trip from his native Hawaii to Eugene, Oregon for the ceremony.
“That was nice, real nice, to have that support,’’ Buckner said. “Graduation is a time when everyone is moving on, it’s as much about the future. A lot of guys aren’t sure what they’re going to be doing, luckily I do.’’
Buckner will be vying for a starting spot up front in the 49ers’ 3-4 defense. As the No. 7 overall pick in the Draft there will be high expectations, but if he handles it the way he did in the classroom, it shouldn’t be a problem.
“I’m adjusting well so far through the rookie camp, the minicamp, the OTAs,’’ he said. “Things will ramp up when the pads come on in training camp. I’m excited to see how everything goes.’’
Buckner saw some familiar faces when he arrived in Santa Clara to join the 49ers. New head coach Chip Kelly recruited him to Oregon, defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro was his position coach in college for a year and his former Duck teammate Arik Armstead is on the defensive line.
“Having coach Azz, coach Kelly, and (Armstead) there, it’s a comfortable environment for me,’’ Buckner said. “A lot of guys go places and they don’t know anyone. I’m fortunate to go to a team where I know people and know the defensive scheme so well, too. It’s a lot of the same plays we ran at Oregon just some different terminology.’’