GOOD NEWS; Analysis of 2024 Husker Signee: Mario Buford, defensive back..

Naturally, Nebraska entered this recruiting cycle with the intention of improving the defensive secondary, but in particular, the cornerback position.

Regardless of position, Mario Buford has been one of Nebraska’s top targets for 2024 since he was finishing up his freshman year at DeSoto (Texas) High School, a dominant program. Less than a week after his older brother Marques registered early for the 2021 class, he was offered by Scott Frost and the prior staff on January 23, 2021.

The combination of his brother’s Husker reputation and the impending coaching staff change made Mario an exceptional recruit. Over the years, he had made multiple trips to Lincoln and had developed a close bond with Travis Fisher, the former defensive backs coach.

According to his mother, Dr. Roslind Blasingame-Buford, Mario is very much a “relationships person,” therefore the firing of the prior staff member somewhat derailed his relationship with Nebraska. Initially, at least. Buford deserves praise for his patience while the new coach was being appointed.

After Matt Rhule and his team took over, Buford’s recruiting proceeded as usual under the prior coaches. They even turned it up a notch. They made certain he understood that he was their best defensive back.

Several of the new hires made several visits to DeSoto throughout the January 2023 contact period. Buford responded well to defensive backs coach Evan Cooper’s gradual relationship-building with him and his assurance that he would pursue him with the same zeal regardless of his brother’s Husker status.