Western Illinois sophomore Justin Buckner returns as a key piece to the Leatherneck defense after a solid rookie season. (Photo by GoLeathernecks. com)
By Dan Verdun
When Western Illinois finished last season with a flourish, outside linebacker Justin Buckner played a major role.
As the Leathernecks closed out the fall with three wins in their last four games, Buckner registered 25 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a quarterback hurry.
In WIU’s season-ending 29-24 win against Gardner-Webb, the Chicago native earned OVC-Big South Co-Freshman of the Week honors. Buckner was a force in that victory, recording eight tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Now back for his sophomore season, the St. Rita High School graduate is primed for the next step.
“Coming off a pretty decent season last year, I’m ready to go into this year with a full head of steam,” Buckner told Prairie State PIgskin. “Getting the game experience I got last year as a freshman is amazing.
“I can’t wait to play this year.”
For now, he will have to be content with Western’s 15 spring practices that culminate with a 9 a.m. April 25 start to the annual Bruce Craddock Memorial Game at Hancock Stadium.
Buckner is focused on his improved development.
“The coaches said I really need to understand the defense even more than I did a year ago,” he said. “As a freshman, I was just trying to play as hard as a I can and as fast as I can. This year, I have to up my football I.Q. by watching more film and going even harder.”
WIU showed marked signs of improvement on the defensive side of the ball under former Valparaiso head coach turned Leatherneck coordinator Landon Fox last fall.
“Coach Fox is always going to be hard on you, but that’s just who he is,” Buckner said. “He knows what he wants out of a defense. He pushes you, but that’s because he wants your best and loves you.”
Buckner returns as a key piece to a unit that allowed 104 fewer points and 500-plus fewer rushing yards than in 2024. WIU also surrendered 17 fewer touchdowns.
Perhaps most impressive, the Leathernecks accomplished this despite opening the season with road games against two Big 10 opponents.
WIU has bolstered its defense with 15 mid-year transfers – seven in the secondary along with five linebackers and three linemen.
Buckner said this spring’s team focus is overall improvement and developing relationships on and off the field.
“We’re all getting to learn the defense a lot better,” Buckner said. “We performed pretty decent as a defense last year, but we really want to keep on going and improve even more,” Buckner said.
Accountability is another focus of building a strong defense.
“We have to bring the standard every day,” Buckner said. “It’s always running to the ball, for example. That’s me holding my teammates accountable and them doing the same for me.”
Buckner said he wants to add muscle weight while not sacrificing agility.
“I’m trying to get up to 210 pounds. Last year, I was only at 190,” he said. “I really want to increase my speed so I can play nickel and that Jack (outside linebacker) position as well.”
Wherever he ultimately plays, Buckner said his leadership style is more low key.
“I’m not a big talker,” he said. “I try to lead by example, and hopefully my teammates get me going by talking. We have to remember that we play for Saturdays. That’s what Coach (Joe) Davis always says.”
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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