With the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the San Francisco 49ers selected Oregon defensive lineman DeForest Buckner.
This marks the second consecutive year that the team has drafted an Oregon product in the first round. San Francisco took Arik Armstead No. 17 overall in 2015.
The two played together for three seasons in Eugene, one of which came under new 49ers coach Chip Kelly.
"Man, I'm probably the happiest guy in the draft right now being reunited with Arik," Buckner told reporters on Thursday. "Having that history with him back in Oregon, we're good friends. We've been talking about it a little bit throughout the draft process. So I'm excited. I'm ready to go and try to be a part of this team and help win some games."
The San Francisco 49ers selected DeForest Buckner with the 7th overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft presented by Bud Light.
Buckner earned 2015 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors after a senior season in which he recorded 10.5 sacks, five pass breakups and 83 tackles – 17 of which went for losses. The 22-year-old is a native of Hawaii, where he watched the draft alongside family and friends.
"They're all excited. A lot of my family actually are San Francisco fans," Buckner said. "They had a flag and everything out after I got selected. My parents especially were praying that it would be a West Coach team because it's so close."
Buckner is listed at 6-foot-7, 291 pounds. Like Armstead, Buckner has frequently been compared to Arizona Cardinals pass-rusher Calais Campbell for his extraordinary size and length.
When Buckner suits up for the 49ers this fall, it won't be the first time he's appeared at Levi's® Stadium. He played in the 49ers new home twice in college, winning games over Cal and Arizona.
"My biggest goal is just to help turn around the club and allow us to win a bunch of games and ultimately win the Super Bowl," Buckner said. "So just being one of the best in my position. Leaving a legacy behind and being one of the greats."
Here is Buckner's full scouting report from NFL.com's Lance Zierlein:
"Headed into this season, Buckner was a traits prospect who flashed with quickness, strength and overall athleticism, but he put those traits together in 2015. Buckner has the body type of a classic 3-4 defensive end who can control the point of attack with length and power, but he has above average pass rush potential for that position which figures to push him into the early stages of round one. Buckner has similar power to former teammate Arik Armstead, but is a much better pass rusher and has a chance to become a dominant force in the NFL."
