DeForest Buckner Bio
DeForest George Buckner (born March 17, 1994) is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. Across his career, Buckner has earned three Pro Bowl selections, one first-team All-Pro nod, and one second-team All-Pro honor.
Standing 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 295 pounds, Buckner combines rare size with quickness off the snap. He is widely regarded as one of the premier interior defensive linemen of his generation.
Early Life and Background
DeForest George Buckner was born on March 17, 1994, in Waianae, Hawaii. He was raised by a Samoan mother and an African American father, giving him a rich multicultural upbringing rooted in the Pacific Islands. He grew up in Hawaii and attended Punahou School in Honolulu, where he emerged as a four-star football recruit.
Beyond football, Buckner was a talented basketball player and was named the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year in basketball in 2012. His athletic versatility drew attention from college programs across the country, and in January 2012, he committed to the University of Oregon to play college football.
Path to American Football
At Oregon, Buckner quickly developed into one of the top defensive linemen in the Pac-12 Conference. As a true freshman in 2012, he played in all 13 games, recording 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. By his sophomore season in 2013, he had started eight of 13 games and tallied 39 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
As a junior in 2014, Buckner broke out with 81 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and four sacks. He was projected as a possible first-round pick in the NFL draft but elected to return for his senior season to graduate and improve his draft stock. That decision paid off in a major way.
DeForest Buckner Career
Early Career (2015–2016)
In his senior season at Oregon in 2015, Buckner produced career highs with 83 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and 10.5 sacks. He was voted the 2015 Pac-12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year by the conference’s coaches, joining Haloti Ngata as the second Oregon player to win the award. He also received the Morris Trophy as the best Pac-12 defensive lineman and was named a first-team All-American.
Following his senior year, Buckner declared for the 2016 NFL draft, where the San Francisco 49ers selected him with the seventh overall pick. He was the second consecutive Oregon defensive end taken in the first round by the 49ers, following Arik Armstead in 2015.
San Francisco 49ers Era (2016–2019)
Buckner made his NFL debut in the 2016 season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams, recording one tackle in a 28-0 shutout victory. During a Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills, he notched his first two NFL sacks on quarterback Tyrod Taylor. He finished his rookie campaign with 73 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries, and a pass deflection in 15 starts, leading all NFL defensive linemen with 1,108 snaps. His strong play earned him a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
In 2018, Buckner produced a career-high 12 sacks, the most by a 49ers player since Aldon Smith recorded 19.5 in 2012. That performance earned him his first Pro Bowl selection. The 49ers exercised the fifth-year option on his contract in April 2019, and he followed up with 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries, earning second-team All-Pro honors.
The 2019 season ended with a trip to Super Bowl LIV, where Buckner recorded six tackles and 1.5 sacks on Patrick Mahomes in a 31-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. He also recovered a fumble lost by Aaron Rodgers in the NFC Championship Game victory over the Green Bay Packers.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2020–Present)
On March 18, 2020, the 49ers traded Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. He signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension, making him the second-highest paid defensive tackle in the league. In his first season with the Colts, he posted 58 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery in 15 games, earning first-team All-Pro honors for 2020.
He followed that performance with 68 tackles, seven sacks, and three pass deflections in 2021, earning his second Pro Bowl selection. In 2022, he started 16 of 17 games and recorded 74 tackles, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles, later revealing he played the entire year with a UCL tear in his left elbow. In 2023, he tallied a career-high 81 tackles and eight sacks, adding a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and earned his third Pro Bowl nod.
On April 15, 2024, the Colts signed Buckner to a two-year, $46 million contract extension through the 2026 season. In 2024, he finished with 6.5 sacks, 61 tackles, and one pass defended.
Driving Style and Strengths
Buckner is known for his exceptional size, length, and ability to disrupt both the run and the pass. His quick first step, strong hands, and high motor allow him to win consistently at the line of scrimmage. He excels against the run while also providing steady interior pressure on quarterbacks, making him a three-down presence in the Colts’ defense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Buckner’s signature moments are a career-high three sacks on Deshaun Watson in a 2020 victory over the Houston Texans, which earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week, and a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 2023 against the Jaguars. He has also represented the Colts at three Pro Bowls and earned All-Pro recognition twice.
DeForest Buckner Career Wins
DeForest Buckner has built a strong resume across his NFL career, earning three Pro Bowl selections, one first-team All-Pro nod in 2020, and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2019. He has appeared in one Super Bowl and multiple conference championship games.
San Francisco 49ers Highlights
During his four seasons with the 49ers, Buckner recorded 28.5 sacks, including a career-high 12 in 2018, the most by a 49ers player since 2012. He was a key part of the defensive line that reached Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season.
Indianapolis Colts Highlights
Since joining the Colts in 2020, Buckner has continued to produce at a high level, recording at least 6.5 sacks in each of his first five seasons. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2020 and Pro Bowl selections in 2021 and 2023. He has been one of the most durable interior linemen in the league, playing in nearly every game during his time in Indianapolis.
DeForest Buckner Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Buckner was raised in Waianae, Hawaii, by a Samoan mother and an African American father. His Pacific Island heritage has been a meaningful part of his identity throughout his career.
Personal Life
DeForest Buckner is married to Ashlyn Buckner, and the couple has two children together. The family has been based in Indianapolis since Buckner’s trade to the Colts in 2020.
2025 Season Performance
Buckner began the 2025 campaign as one of the Indianapolis Colts’ starting defensive tackles, continuing his role as a foundational piece of the team’s defensive front. Through the first nine games, he recorded four sacks and 42 combined tackles, maintaining his consistent production against both the run and the pass.
His season was interrupted in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when Buckner suffered a neck injury that led to his placement on injured reserve on November 7, 2025. He was later activated on December 22, 2025, and returned to the Colts’ defensive rotation down the stretch of the season.
Buckner’s 2025 campaign underscored both his durability and his value to the Colts, as he remained a vocal leader and steady producer in the trenches. With his contract running through 2026, he is positioned to remain a central figure in Indianapolis’ defensive plans heading into the next season.