Ru’Quan Buckley is a name that Husker fans are getting familiar with quickly. The 3-star (HV Rating: 87.0) defensive lineman has emerged as one of Nebraska’s top 2021 targets along the defensive line. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, the Godwin Heights (Michigan) High School defender made his way to Lincoln this weekend for Junior Day.
Me and my boi @jacewilliams82 great visit I love it I will be back soon #GBR💯🔥❤️🌽 pic.twitter.com/BV9FDQ5IH2
— Ru'Quan Buckley (@Darealruquan) January 26, 2020
“I loved it,” Buckley told Hail Varsity. “[The trip] was worth it. I really loved the coaching staff. I got to meet some players. It was like a family structure.”
While in Lincoln, Buckley met several Nebraska coaches, players and targets. He got to eat with new junior college transfer defensive lineman Jordon Riley and 2021 offensive line commit Henry Lutovsky.
Buckley’s mom made the trip with him from Michigan, and she came away impressed with Nebraska as well. A highlight for her was all the technology being used in Nebraska’s future facility.
Besides the tours of the weight room, academic presentation and lunch, Buckley was able to meet with Coach Scott Frost.
“It was cool meeting with Coach Frost,” Buckley said. “We asked most of the questions and he didn’t ask many. He was cool and I really liked his personality too. The whole coaching staff has a family structure. They actually care about the players.”
There was one more important meeting for Buckley that happened on his trip. He sat down with the man who could be his position coach: defensive line coach Tony Tuioti. The pair hit it off right away, and spent a lot of time together during the visit. Tuioti also taught him things to take back to Michigan this football season.
Buckley and his mother asked about injuries and what to expect if something happened. Frost assured them that he would be able to go through school and finish his degree. That showed again the care that Frost and his staff have for their players, which is important to Buckley. He wants to a school with a family structure that cares about him getting a degree.
The family is already having thoughts of a return trip to Nebraska. Buckley plans to return for a spring practice and an official visit this spring. He had a hard time narrowing things down when considering what stood out to him most about his visit.
“It’s a lot of stuff, that’s a hard question,” he said. “The thing that stood out to me the most is the way Coach T [Tuioti] taught me how to get by offensive linemen. He was just cool with me like family. Like another dad.”
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10126976/5dba4c69b3d2af0dd0ad76e0
Greg is the Recruiting Analyst for Hail Varsity and has covered Husker athletics since 2013. He has always had a passion for sports while growing up in the Chicago area. As he got older and had to hang up his cleats and sneakers, he realized his passion for sports went beyond just watching and attending games. He has covered many events from the Rose Bowl to championship boxing matches. If he’s not talking sports, he’s hovering over his grill. He is married to an amazing woman, Kim, and they have a dog that barks when Greg yells at the TV during games.
