Buckner will decide whether to stay or go

DALLAS » Quarterback Marcus Mariota isn’t the only University of Oregon player from Hawaii with a big decision to announce shortly.

DeForest Buckner, the Ducks’ second-team All-Pac-12 defensive end from Waianae, said he will announce in the next couple of days whether he will return to Oregon for his senior year.

Buckner and Mariota have until Thursday to declare whether they will forego their remaining eligibility and submit their names for the NFL Draft (April 30-May 2).

"I’ll come out with something soon. Right now I just want to focus on the national championship game," Buckner said.

"It is something my family and I have talked a lot about. It is a big decision," said Buckner, a Punahou School graduate.

Buckner said he is on track to complete a degree in social sciences in the fall.

Buckner missed out on a Hawaii High School Athletic Association state football title with the Buffanblu, which, he says, makes Monday’s game against Ohio State even more important.

"I hear about it from the other local players (on the Ducks)," Buckner said. "Not so much Marcus, but Bronson (Yim) and Isaac (Ava), but the other Saint Louis guys. Even Davis (Miyashiro-Saipaia, a freshman from Punahou) tells me he has one."

Yim, a junior defensive back, said, "We don’t let him forget it."

More Hawaii Ducks

The Ducks have six players from Hawaii on their roster — seven in school — and are hoping to add more.

In addition to Buckner, Mariota, Yim, Ava (a linebacker) and Miyashiro-Saipaia (an offensive lineman), there is tight end Koa Ka’ai from Kamehameha Schools.

Defensive end Canton Kaumatule, a four-star recruit, is enrolled this month as a freshman.

The Ducks have commitments from Mililani defensive tackle Rex Manu and Kamehameha safety Dylan Kane and are wooing Punahou guard Semisi Uluave.

Uluave is also considering UCLA and Texas Tech.

Feb. 4 is the first day that players may sign binding national commitments.