Oregon Ducks

Buckner, Nelson, Johnstone named CFB top-100 players for 2015

Published Aug. 4, 2015 5:00 p.m. ET

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DE DeForest Buckner, OT Tyler Johnstone and CB/WR Charles Nelson have all been named as one of ESPN's top-100 players for the 2015 season.

Buckner, ranked No. 71 overall, is a senior defensive end who could be a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Here's what ESPN had to say about him:

"Buckner's decision to return to Eugene for his senior season was a boon to Oregon's defensive line, which lost first-round pick Arik Armstead. He led the Ducks with 13 tackles for loss, including four sacks, and was the team's fourth-leading tackler (81). Expect Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum to lean heavily on this 6-foot-7, 290 pound workhorse."

Tyler Johnston, a senior offensive tackle who is coming off multiple knee injuries, comes in tied for No. 84:

"Oregon's veteran left tackle missed all of 2014 after retearing his ACL last August. Johnstone had started 26 consecutive games at left tackle before initially tearing his ACL in the Ducks' win over Texas in the 2013 Alamo Bowl. He's gained 20-plus pounds since then and will be counted on to protect the blind side of whichever quarterback wins the starting job for Oregon, while creating space and time for the Ducks' impressive arsenal of skill players."

Charles Nelson, who broke out as a true freshman, is expected to play both offense and defense for the Ducks this season. He came in at No. 91:

"Oregon coaches sang the praises of the speedy freshman receiver last season, but it wasn't until the middle of the season when Nelson forced the staff's hand into putting on the field for significant snaps. The special teams player extraordinaire finished with 23 catches and five touchdowns and averaged 19 yards per kickoff return. The Ducks experimented with Nelson playing cornerback this spring, so don't be surprised to see him playing for all three units in 2015."

(h/t ESPN)