Buckner close to Pac-12 decision
PHOENIX - DeForest Buckner plans to announce his commitment here at the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl and unless there is a major surprise Oregon is going to land the second-best player in Hawaii according to Rivals.com.
Cal and UCLA will also be considered but all indications are the Ducks will win out and even Buckner, a 6-foot-7, 230-pound four-star defensive end from Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou, said Oregon is the leader.
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One big reason is because of the way Oregon defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro conducts himself.
"With Oregon, I really like coach Azzinaro," Buckner said.
"He's a really good coach and I like his coaching style. He's hard but he pushes you to greatness. That's the kind of coach I like. He will get on you all the time because he cares and he wants you to get better."
What Buckner also likes about Oregon are all the people in the program from the coaches, to the players and even the staff. The four-star said he feels comfortable at Oregon and that's just another reason why his announcement might not bring much of a surprise.
"The people in general stand out," Buckner said. "I feel like a part of the team. I like how the team is family-oriented. Everybody is with each other. There are no clicks on the team.
"It's not the SoCal boys are over here, the Texas kids are over here, the Polynesians are over here. Everybody mixes together and that's what I like.
"I like how coach (Chip) Kelly is running things and his whole philosophy on how to win. And I love the academic support I could get over there."
Rivals.com rates Buckner as the No. 18 strong-side defensive end in the 2012 class.