From Dane Brugler's The Beast
STRENGTHS:
● Ripped physique with notable upper-body strength
● Reads action quickly and covers ground in pursuit
● Stays square to form fit as tackler, then uses strong hands to finish
● Has a good feel for when to go for the strip (see forced fumble on 2024 Auburn tape)
● Shifty feet as a blitzer and feasted with Cal's simulated-pressure packages (25 pressures, five sacks)
● Flips his hips to spot drop, reach landmarks and hunt crossers
● Two-time team captain at UC-Davis and a team captain at Cal
● Strong character (Justin Wilcox: "Very driven, motivated, accountable. ... You can just tell he's made of the right stuf.")
WEAKNESSES:
● Average length and can find himself stuck in trafc
● Would like to see more suddenness and violence when he punches of blocks
● Can get hung up on play action a beat too long
● One-speed player with room to clean up perimeter angles
● Ordinary lateral burst in zone coverage
● Only played one season at the FBS level
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Cal, Buchanan was a stacked inside linebacker in defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon's hybrid front seven, lining up primarily in the box with some edge reps mixed in. After twice leading UC-Davis in tackles, he transferred to Berkeley for his fifth season and gradually became one of the leaders in the locker room. He also led the Bears in tackles and tackles for loss. Buchanan had been a quarterback most of his life, and those instincts have carried over to the defensive side of the ball — his high-volume tackling reflects the way he sees the field and finishes. He has the movement ability to drop in coverage or sidestep blockers when working downhill, although he will be overwhelmed in tight quarters. Overall, Buchanan's physical traits are more good than great, but he is scrappy and football smart with strong tackling skills and competitive makeup. He projects as a Mike linebacker who can play on special teams until his opportunity comes.
