Recruiting Report: Jimmy Buck (2019)

As a junior, Orono Spartans’ wide receiver Jimmy Buck was not happy with his season. He knew he had a role to play and did what he could with it, but he thought there was more he could contribute as…

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As a junior, Orono Spartans’ wide receiver Jimmy Buck was not happy with his season. He knew he had a role to play and did what he could with it, but he thought there was more he could contribute as a senior. He dedicated himself to improving last offseason, and his commitment to detail helped him with a breakout season. He set the school record for receiving yards, helped the team to a six-win season, and has picked up college interest from Division I programs.

“I ended my junior season with only 350 yards,” Buck said. “That was fine for that year, but I wanted to improve. I knew I had more potential than that.”

He brought that potential out by focusing on the details of playing wide receiver.

“My offseason work showed up this season. My quarterback – Nick Prentice – and I would go out with a few other guys starting in January when there was still snow on the ground throwing the ball around. We would throw the ball around through the school year. In the summer we started throwing once or twice a week. Every time we would go out – including team stuff and seven on seven – I would focus on one thing to improve.”

“One day it might be my footwork,” Buck continued. “I would work on one specific route and run it twenty-five to fifty times until I felt like I got enough work in on that route.”

All his hard work paid off.

“I have to give credit to my teammates, but by senior season went well. I ended with 56 catches for 1045 yards and eleven touchdowns.”

Most of the time Buck would line up as the widest receiver. He would play on both the left and right side.

“My biggest strength is being able to go get the ball,” Buck said. “Whether the ball is underthrown or thrown behind me I think one of my strength is being able to focus in and catch the ball. I think another strength of mine is getting the defensive back shifting around. I think my route running improved this year.”

Before moving to the next level, Buck is focused on simply improving on catching the ball no matter where it is thrown.

This winter he is in the weight room and working on his speed. This spring and summer he will play on the baseball team.

“We have started throwing and hitting in the cages,” said Buck who is on the St. Jude teen committee who help raise money for the patents that can’t pay their bills. “I played a lot of infield last year. Then one of our outfielders got hurt. My coach knew I played outfield when I was younger, so I moved out there. I also pitch and am starting to throw now to get ready.”

Off his senior season, he has picked up interest from college programs – including three preferred walk-on offers.

“I went on my second visit to Minnesota on Monday,” said the 6’4″ 195-pound receiver. “I am scheduling an official visit with Wake Forest, and I am going on an official visit on January 25th to Lafayette College. I am talking to Columbia, Yale, and Holy Cross and trying to set up visits.”

Buck has PWO offers from Wake Forest, Minnesota and Lafayette. He feels the schools who are looking at him like his ability to get open – even with his size. They also like that he can go up and get the fifty/fifty balls and that he is a willing and capable blocker.

Buck’s record-setting senior year has opened numerous college opportunities, and as the offseason continues, his opportunities are sure to continue to expand.

Update: Shortly after this story was published, Buck committed to Minnesota.