A powerful, gritty, action shot of an American football defensive lineman, number 99, exploding off the line of scrimmage in a Colts uniform, dominating the offensive lineman, intense focus, low angle, mud and grass flying, stadium lights, photorealistic.
DeForest Buckner: The Dominant Force in the Trenches
Early Life and College Career
DeForest Buckner was born on March 17, 1994, in Waianae, Hawaii. Growing up in a football family - his father, George Buckner, played defensive line at the University of Hawaii - DeForest developed a passion for the game early. He attended Punahou School in Honolulu, where he excelled as a defensive lineman and earned first-team All-State honors.
Buckner continued his football career at the University of Oregon, where he became one of the most dominant defensive players in the Pac-12 Conference. During his four years with the Ducks, he developed into a formidable force on the defensive line, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors in his senior season. His college career culminated with winning the Morris Trophy as the Pac-12's best defensive lineman and being named a consensus All-American in 2015.
NFL Career
San Francisco 49ers (2016-2019)
The San Francisco 49ers selected Buckner with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as a cornerstone of the 49ers' defense, starting all 16 games in his rookie season and recording 6.0 sacks. Over his four seasons in San Francisco, Buckner developed into one of the league's premier interior defensive linemen, earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 2019 after recording 7.5 sacks and 62 tackles.
Indianapolis Colts (2020-Present)
In March 2020, the Colts acquired Buckner in a trade with the 49ers, immediately signing him to a four-year, $84 million contract extension. The move proved transformative for Indianapolis' defense. In his first season with the Colts, Buckner earned Second-team All-Pro honors and was selected to his second Pro Bowl after recording 9.5 sacks, 58 tackles, and 26 quarterback hits.
Buckner's impact continued to grow, earning his third Pro Bowl selection in 2022. His consistent dominance in the trenches has made him one of the most respected defensive tackles in the NFL. In April 2024, the Colts further demonstrated their commitment to Buckner by signing him to a two-year, $46 million contract extension, securing his position with the team through the 2026 season.
Playing Style and Impact
Standing at 6'7" and weighing 295 pounds, Buckner possesses rare size and athleticism for an interior defensive lineman. His combination of length, strength, and technique makes him equally effective against the run and as a pass rusher. Buckner's ability to disrupt opposing offenses from the defensive tackle position has made him one of the most valuable defensive players in the league.
Throughout his 10-year NFL career, Buckner has accumulated impressive statistics: 71.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, and 647 tackles in 150 games. His consistency and durability have been remarkable, having started nearly every game of his professional career until his recent neck injury in November 2025.
Recent Developments
In November 2025, Buckner suffered a neck injury during the Colts' 27-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, leading to his placement on injured reserve. This designation means he will miss at least four games, with his earliest possible return being December 14 against the Seattle Seahawks. At the time of his injury, Buckner ranked second on the team with 4.0 sacks, along with 42 tackles and 13 quarterback hits in nine starts.
Despite this setback, Buckner remains a foundational piece of the Colts' defense and one of the most accomplished defensive tackles of his generation. His leadership, work ethic, and consistent production have established him as one of the premier players at his position in the modern NFL era.
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