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*S22 Buck Thornton SS - Bio and Scouting Report - Printable Version

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*S22 Buck Thornton SS - Bio and Scouting Report - FurFurFurson - 02-22-2020

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Bio:

Buck was a star athlete in Fairbanks, Alaska - but not in football. He was a rising star in hockey and was being groomed as the next face of biathlon and cross-country skiing in the United States. Tragedy struck his freshman year of high school when his father perished in a snowmobiling accident. After his mother moved the Thorntons to Washington state, Buck turned to wrestling and football.

[Image: 28238001_H19491078-e1483998578414-640x400.jpg]
(Buck competing in a biathlon event)

Buck has always gravitated to endurance-heavy sports. After his initial wrestling season at his new high school, Thornton joined the Rugby club. This is where he was spotted by the football coach and recruited to play in the fall. Despite not being one of his typical sports, Buck enjoyed the challenges of summer two-a-days and was drawn to the intense level of competition.

Buck’s high level of endurance paid off. Maybe not the best player in the 1st quarter, he made his presence known in the 4th. Late in the season, when bodies wear down, Buck was able to maintain his intense conditioning regimen while still having enough in the tank to wreak havoc on offenses late on Friday night. He turned down a wrestling scholarship to Washington State University in Pullman (3 hours away), electing to stay in his mother's hometown of Ellensburg and play football at Central Washington University.

Coming into college as a free safety, Buck struggled in his first season to keep up with the speed of collegiate receivers. At the urging of his defensive backs coach, Buck put on 15 pounds in the off season and came back in the fall of his sophomore year and earned a starting spot at strong safety.

Maintaining his fly-to-the-ball play-style, Thornton provided a lot of freedom in the Wildcats’ defensive scheme. They were able to run more nickel and dime coverage to combat the pass-heavy offenses in their conference while pushing Thornton up in the box to stuff the run game. The Wildcats relied on Buck’s speed to cover tight ends and slot receivers in man coverage and his intelligence to read the run game and track back in play-action.

Off the field:

Buck is not known as a partier. He likes to sleep well, eat well, and keep his body clean. At 21 years of age, he has still never had a long-term relationship. But he loves the weight room. Thornton is known to spend extra hours in the gym experimenting with different conditioning programs. He enjoys training in martial arts, cross-fit, and long-distance running. Buck often goes to the shooting range to relax. Thornton has maintained a close relationship with his family - especially his mother - and has stated that he will be using his professional earnings to pay off his mother’s house and fly her out to see him play every week.

[Image: mathew-fraser.jpeg]
(Buck training cross-fit)


Scouting report:

Buck is a wild card.

Strengths:

Winner. In his three years as a starter at Central Washington, the Wildcats went 33-8 including an undefeated DII national championship season his senior year. Buck expects to win.

Natural leader. With three younger brothers, Buck has been a leader his entire life. He captained his college defense for two years, and, under Buck’s leadership, CWU fielded their best defenses in history. He expects his teammates to give their all and makes it known that he will accept nothing less.

Work rate. Coaches have praised his work rate throughout his career. Buck is always one of the best conditioned players on the field. He never gives up on a play and has been known to wear down opponents late in games.

Good size. At 6’1” 224lbs, Thornton holds his own as a run-stopping safety. His weight matches up to the larger running backs while not being too tall to meet them low to the ground. While in pass coverage, Buck relies on his physicality but is not completely over-matched in the height department.

Weaknesses:

Inexperienced. Buck has only played football for six years and only three as a strong safety. While he has been an impact player, scouts are nervous about his ability to read the game at a high level.

Unproven against the highest competition. Buck attended a Division II school for college. Despite his dominant performance, scouts are very aware that Thornton’s competition was not at the level of other S22 prospects.

Short wingspan. Standing 6’1”, Buck only sports a 5’10” wingspan. Scouts are worried that Buck’s undersized wingspan will be an issue in pass coverage.

Long-term durability. Thornton enjoys hitting. He likes to hit often and hit hard. Some scouts are worried that his body might not hold up over several seasons in the NSFL.


Ceiling: Troy Polamalu

Impeccable motor and work rate. Hard hitter and tone setter. Instinctive, physical, explosive. Excellent in run support. Makes receivers hear footsteps.

[Image: polamalu-profile.jpg]


Floor: Perennial practice squad player

What if DII to the DSFL is too big of a jump? Is six seasons of competitive football enough experience? Thornton may never see the field during an NSFL game.

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