Lendell Buckner (May 16, 2008)
| N2FL: At what age did you start playing football? |
| L.B.: I started playing at age 14. |
| N2FL: When and who was your first scholarship offer? |
| L.B.: My first scholarship offer was from Colorado. |
| N2FL: How many scholarship offers do you currently have? |
| L.B.: I have ten scholarship offers. |
| N2FL: What was your favorite college team growing up? |
| L.B.: Favorite college team was Illinois. |
| N2FL: Have a favorite NFL Team? |
| L.B.: Chicago Bears |
| N2FL: Do you try and emulate any specific player? |
| L.B.: Yes, Tommie Harris. |
| N2FL: Any particular reason for the jersey number? |
| L.B.: No particular reason for jersey number. |
| N2FL: You committed to Illinois in early February, why did you decide to end the process so early? |
| L.B.: I didn't end the process, I just have always loved the Illini and some of my family lives in Urbana. |
| N2FL: What were some of the considerations when choosing your school? |
| L.B.: Whatever school I attend I'm sure I will work hard to earn playing time so that is not an issue to me. On the other hand, I make most of my athletic success playing in a 4-3 defense so that would have a lot to do with it. The school I attend would also have to have the academic criteria I am interested in. |
| N2FL: Are there any schools who continue to recruit you despite your commitment? Who? |
| L.B.: Many other schools across the nation still recruit me. To name a few: LSU, Wisconsin, Michigan State, etc. I also have just recently received a scholarship offer from Tennessee. |
| N2FL: Who was your lead recruiter at Illinois? |
| L.B.: My lead recruiter was coach Reggie Mitchell. |
| N2FL: Despite your pledge to the Illini, will you take any "official visits" anywhere else? |
| L.B.: I am definitely taking all five of my official visits. |
| N2FL: Was there another school(s) in consideration before you pulled the trigger on Illinois, and what was it about the Illini that ultimately sold you on them? |
| L.B.: Michigan State was a key school before committing and still is, but Illinois just has a great atmosphere. They are up and coming with coach Ron Zook. |
| N2FL: What do you see as some of your playing strengths? |
| L.B.: I get off the ball very well. I run a 4.9 in the forty yard dash and I feel that is good for an athlete of my size (320lbs). Very smart and always have a nose for where the ball is. I am very strong with a bench press of 385 lbs. |
| N2FL: What are some things you would like to work on between now and college? |
| L.B.: Some things I would like to work on is getting even faster. I want to get my forty down to a 4.7. |
| N2FL: What positions are you being recruited to play? |
| L.B.: I am being recruited to play Defensive Tackle. |
| N2FL: Has anyone discussed moving you to the Offensive Line? |
| L.B.: No one has discussed me moving to O-Line. |
| N2FL: How do you feel about Redshirting? |
| L.B.: Redshirting is good for some people so they can develop and get better. I feel I can go in as a true freshman and help contribute to a team to win a championship. All my life I have taken big roles at a young age and succeeded, so this is no difference. |
| N2FL: Do you have a major in mind? |
| L.B.: I want to major in Communications. |
| N2FL: What are your goals for your senior season? |
| L.B.: My goals for my senior season are to help my teammates to help themselves to get better. Also to bring my coach a state championship and graduate high school. |
| N2FL: Have you communicated with any prospective recruits about attending Illinois with you? |
| L.B.: Yes, a couple of inner-city Chicago kids. |
| N2FL: Who has been the biggest influence in your life? |
| L.B.: The biggest influence in my life is my mother. She pushes and encourages me to do good in everything I do. |