Oregon DE DeForest Buckner could be the best player in college football

While many people might not know his name, Oregon senior defensive end DeForest Buckner may be one of the best college football players in the entire country. In fact, one publication has ranked him as the best player in college football right now. 

Pro Football Focus ranks every player in college football based on its own grades and analytical data. Heading into rivalry week, Buckner was ranked as the best player in the entire nation.

Why is Buckner being ranked so highly? Jeff Dooley of Pro Football Focus explains:

"(Buckner) didn’t have his best game of the season in the Ducks’ win over USC, but he still earned a good grade, and the fact is he has been a dominant force all season long. His lead in our PFF grades among interior defenders is similar to (if not greater than) Joey Bosa’s among edge defenders, so with Bosa earning a rare negative grade in the loss to Michigan State, we’ll move Buckner into the top spot here. Few interior linemen have been better against the run, and none have been better as a pass-rusher. His 59 total pressures far exceeds the total posted by the next-best inside player on the list, and in fact, only three edge rushers have produced more so far this season. That is remarkable."