Avery Buckner, St. Thomas Academy

Avery Buckner

Class: 2026
Position: DB
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 170
School: St. Thomas Academy

State
Position

Unlock Rankings

Player Claimed

This player is currently claimed. If you think this is an error, please contact us.

Expert Analysis

Avery

Buckner DB

Class

2026

Height

5'10"

Weight

170

HS

St. Thomas Academy

|

MN

Avery Buckner

St. Thomas Academy’s CB Avery Buckner is worth getting excited about for a variety of reasons. Not only...

Written by Oliver West

Read more at PrepRedzone.com

Oliver West

Prep Redzone Lead Scout

St. Thomas Academy’s CB Avery Buckner Avery Buckner 5'10" | 170 lbs | DB St. Thomas Academy | 2026 State MN is worth getting excited about for a variety of reasons. Not only was the 2026 speedster a big part of the Cadets‘ 2023 state 5A title run in which they finished as runner-ups, Buckner also had a standout sophomore season on the outdoor track, posting a 10.99 100M at the MSHSL State T&F Championships and 11.05 in the MSHSL Section 3AA Championship. Buckner also went 21’0” in the Long Jump at the MSHSL Section 3AA Championship and 20’0.75” at state, positioning himself for a massive junior season on the gridiron, track, and recruiting trail. Last summer, Buckner also popped off a 4.69 40, 4.62 shuttle, and 9’2 broad, just in case you were worried about the Apple Valley product’s athleticism. The junior took gameday visits to NDSU, Iowa State, and Iowa this fall, and NDSU and Princeton have sent junior day invites to begin what is hopefully a lengthy recruiting process.

Buckner didn’t have any film available at the time of the rankings update, and his MNFootballHub profile stated that he only recorded 7 tackles in 224, so I was quite excited when the junior uploaded some tape last week out of nowhere. In it, the STA standout opens the tape with a beautiful snag on a back-shoulder fade against Andover that saw him high-point the ball with noticeable bounce while fully extending his arms back across his body in a great display of length, body control, and ball skills. The speed shows up in his ability to hawk down loose ball carriers as the backside CB in run support, and he plays with range and can cover ground in run defense as a motivated and physical tackler with a good understanding of leverage who will fight off blocks and hold the edge. He also has the speed to carry in and all WRs deep. I also like his technique, timing, and physicality at the catch point, and the 170 lber. can shut it down and drop his hips to make plays on the ball as soon as the wideout breaks off his route. He displays burst out of his breaks, does a good job of reading and reacting to a QB’s eyes and a WR route concept, and owns good quickness when he triggers on the ball. This dude could blow up big during the 2025 outdoor track season and ensuing summer camp circuit as well.

Written 8 months ago