The Huskers just landed another versatile defensive lineman.
That’s what happened when 3-star defensive lineman Ru’Quan Buckley announced his commitment to Nebraska. He made the announcement during a Facebook Live.
Committed to the University of Nebraska thank you sooo much too all coaches who recruited me pic.twitter.com/RbiMfx0QIC
— Ru'Quan Buckley (@Darealruquan) December 5, 2020
Standing at 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds, Buckley has long been a priority target for the Nebraska staff. Nebraska offered him last May after visiting his school during the spring evaluation period. He made it to campus in January for a Junior Day. The Huskers are still one of the few schools on his offer list that he has been able to get to and take a full visit with. His mother was with him on that visit.
Buckley told Hail Varsity after that visit in January that his growing relationship with defensive line coach Tony Tuioti made an impression on him during that visit.
“The thing that stood out to me the most is the way Coach T [Tuioti] taught me how to get by offensive linemen,” Buckley said. “He was just cool with me like family. Like another dad.”
Buckley does have versatility since a lot of schools on his offer list are recruiting him as an offensive lineman. The Huskers see him on the defensive line where he fits in as an end in defensive coordinator Erik Chinander’s 3-4 defense. Buckley was able to get a senior year of high school football in Michigan where he focused a lot more on playing defensive line.
He has gotten more comfortable playing defensive end during this year.
“From my junior to senior season, I think my game improved the most with me gaining speed at defensive end, Buckley said. “Plus using my hands. I say that because my junior year, I played a lot at defensive end but I didn’t really have that much experience. I only did it a little but my freshman and sophomore year. So I think getting my better at defensive end with my hands and speed I feel like I just improved a lot.”
Boooooooom!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great day for the Huskers!!!!! Big DL that believes in the ‘N’!!!!! pic.twitter.com/pu21f59aL5
— Ryan Held (@CoachRHeld) December 5, 2020
Nebraska mostly battled Michigan State for Buckley’s pledge. The home state Spartans tried to make a late push for him but couldn’t get it done. The other schools in his top five were Florida State, Cincinnati, and Minnesota.
Buckley was always looking for a family feel with his future college and has found that at Nebraska. He’s the second defensive lineman to join the class alongside California native Jailen Weaver. The Huskers now sit at 20 known commitments for the 2021 recruiting class. Linebacker transfer Chris Kolarevic also counts for this class. The early signing period opens on Dec. 16.