There are a handful of prospects that Husker fans have been hearing about all cycle long. Michigan 3-star defensive end Ru’Quan Buckley is certainly one of those players.
He first popped on the radar for Nebraska fans way back in January when he visited for Junior Day. While that feels like a different lifetime now, the communication between Nebraska and Buckley has remained strong.
The Michigan defender included the Huskers in his revised top five schools last week.
TOP 5 pic.twitter.com/QkB5BMtreZ
— Ru'Quan Buckley (@Darealruquan) November 20, 2020
Buckley decided to narrow the schools down so that he could have less stress after piling up close to 20 scholarship offers. Each school offers the type of family environment he is searching for.
At the beginning of the school year, it didn’t look like Michigan would play high school football but that ruling was changed and Buckley got to enjoy his senior football season. His team just lost in the first round of the playoffs but he was grateful for the chance to go out and play.
“It was actually fun,” Buckley told Hail Varsity. “I was very excited. I was very happy to play, so I went out and dominated every game consistently. I just tried to put the energy on my team to dominate every game.”
Buckley (6-6, 280) is being recruited by schools at both offensive and defensive line. The Huskers like him along the defensive line where he hasn’t played as much before this season. During this year he has gotten more comfortable playing defensive end.
“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.”
Of the schools in his top five, Buckley was only able to visit Nebraska for a full visit back in January. He has taken his own trip to Michigan State to see what campus is like. Even though a couple of the schools he likes are far away, the distance doesn’t bother Buckley. In fact, he stated that he wants to get away for college. There is even a chance his mom will move where he ends up going to school.
Buckley is getting ready to make the announcement of his college choice soon. His criteria for picking his future home has not changed much since I first spoke with him early this year.
“Right now, what I’m looking for in a school is family,” Buckley said. “Since I want to leave home I’m just looking for a family. Those who want to support me and find the best coaches to get me to the next level which I want to be at.”
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.
