University of Connecticut Athletics
Hard Work Helped Lead Wideout Brett Buckman to Storrs
8/18/2023 6:37:00 AM | Football
To truly succeed in college football, it takes more than just physical gifts. In a sport that can be unforgiving to play and battle through, one must carry an elite mentality to handle everything that football throws at you, whether that's expected or unexpected.
Brett Buckman has that mentality along with plenty of experience with the trials and tribulations of college football. He can tell you what it's like to truly battle when doubters wouldn't believe in you and college offers aren't piling up at your doorstep. He'll tell you how it feels to truly reap the rewards of your hard work and even when the victories come, the hard work has just begun.Â
Those long hours in the gym were established long before Buckman stepped foot in the Burton Family Football Complex. Back when he was looking for his first college destination, the New Jersey native didn't have the interest of many D-I scouts and would have to accept a walk-on spot at the University of Delaware, close to three hours from his hometown of Park Ridge, N.J. But, it was necessary in his college football journey and as a walk on, the chip on his shoulder never left him.
"I always had a chip on my shoulder, that walk-on chip. I'm grateful to my parents for allowing me to go play college football with that and my mentality will never change," said Buckman.
After his fourth year in Newark that saw Buckman rise from an underlooked walk-on with a couple of appearances in games to a mainstay on the Blue Hens receiving group, he'd make the decision to enter the transfer portal after graduation with two years of eligibility remaining. Unlike his recruitment in high school, Buckman had FBS options from programs like James Madison and Troy.
Yet, one FBS offer stuck out and a visit to the up to Storrs helped make it clear that Conn. was the place that he wanted to call home.
"I honestly just kind of fell in love with it right when I got here," said Buckman about his recruitment visit to UConn. "I didn't know where I wanted to go at all and then on my way home, I knew that this was the place I wanted to come to."
Now, Buckman is thankful for the opportunity that's arisen at UConn, a chance that would not be possible without the mentality and long hours put in to get better. He's relished every moment to work hard and help make an impact for a receiver group that's oozing with potential. For the Delaware transfer, what sticks out most to him about this receiver group is the close camaraderie.
"We've all grown really close over the summer and into camp now. I think that our group is really tight and that's awesome for how diverse we are and where we've come from different places and everything like that. The older guys are leading the younger kids and the younger kids are listening and learning from us. It's been great," said Buckman.
But, one of the biggest mentors for the graduate transfer has been coach Kashif Moore. As a huge reason why Buckman chose to join the Huskies, he's enjoyed every second of being able to learn under the Conn. receivers coach and the insight that Moore has provided.
"Just showing us what it is to be a professional everyday, how to act on a daily basis, how to watch film and how to take notes. It's been great to be coached by him, somebody that's played at the highest level and played here as well. He's always given us his insight from when he was here. It's been awesome with him," said Buckman.
There's certainly more work to be done and competition has just begun. As he's reflected on not only his transition to an FBS program, but also the grind that it took to be in this position, the New Jersey native has some advice for players that are still fighting everyday for a spot in any level of college football.
"Work as hard as you possibly can and good things will come from it. If you put your head down, you work, you don't let any distractions come in your way and you truly grind, good things will come your way cause that's what I've been able to do and good things have come my way from it," said Buckman.
