Justin Buckner is a rising, run-stuffing force for Western Illinois
In the 2025 season, Justin Buckner emerged as a disruptive sophomore linebacker for Western Illinois, finishing with 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a quarterback hurry, including an 8-tackle, 1.5-sack performance in the season finale that earned him OVC-Big South Co-Freshman of the Week honors. He was also named honorable mention all-conference, and his coaches and local coverage point to a high-motor, physical defender who plays best downhill and makes stops behind the line of scrimmage. At 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, he looks like a strong fit for a team that values toughness, pressure, and urgency over flash.
