Buckner seeing things pick up

INDIANAPOLIS – The third time was the charm for Columbus (Ohio) Academy athlete Jerome Buckner as he took part in his third Best of the Midwest Combine in Indy on Monday. The 5-foot-9, 165 pounder has had two good runs before but this year marked a breakthrough.

"Today was a real good day, came out to compete and I just wanted to show myself and show my abilities," Buckner said. "I came out and did the best that I could and landed a wide receiver MVP (award). It was a good day."

Nobody is going to outwork the class of 2018 athlete, at least that is his goal as he has been putting in the gym and on the practice field in preparation for his senior season.

"I have been working a lot outside of just school workouts," Buckner said. "I have been working with my uncle, we have just been working hard in the weight room and on the field just to improve with routes, speed and all of that. I feel like I have improved my speed and my route running a lot."

It has paid off as schools are starting to take notice. Buckner admitted that his first couple of years of high school 'were pretty dry' in terms of getting notice from college recruiters but business has been picking up and has kept him busy.

"Things are really picking up this winter," Buckner said. "I have been going on junior days left and right, every weekend. I am really interested in Cincinnati and Miami (Ohio)."

Buckner said that he is open to every school at this point and would welcome offers from outside of the state of Ohio but feels good knowing that he is getting a lot of in-state interest as well.

"Family is everything, family is very important on where I am going to choose," Buckner said. "I feel like being recruited by schools that are close to home is a plus for me."