Difference between revisions of "Buck Thornton"
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Buck William Thornton was born in Ellensburg, Washington where his father, William John Thornton, was a professor of geology at Central Washington University. Buck's mother, Tina Marie (née Nelson) Thornton worked part time as a secretary in the university's music department. Buck has three younger brothers, Jack, Phillip, and William Jr. | Buck William Thornton was born in Ellensburg, Washington where his father, William John Thornton, was a professor of geology at Central Washington University. Buck's mother, Tina Marie (née Nelson) Thornton worked part time as a secretary in the university's music department. Buck has three younger brothers, Jack, Phillip, and William Jr. | ||
| − | In 2019, William Sr. moved the family to his birthplace of Fairbanks, Alaska where he accepted a position as Chancellor at the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. In Fairbanks, Buck took up hockey and cross-country skiing, as well as competitive shooting. Buck enjoyed spending time at the university with his father and was promptly noticed by several members of the athletic department. By the age of 13, Buck was practicing with both the university cross-county skiing and rifle teams and would participate in conditioning drills with the hockey team in the | + | In 2019, William Sr. moved the family to his birthplace of Fairbanks, Alaska where he accepted a position as Chancellor at the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. In Fairbanks, Buck took up hockey and cross-country skiing, as well as competitive shooting. Buck enjoyed spending time at the university with his father and was promptly noticed by several members of the athletic department. By the age of 13, Buck was practicing with both the university cross-county skiing and rifle teams and would participate in conditioning drills with the hockey team in the off season. He showed promise as a biathlete, placing first in both the cross-county and biathlon events of the Region VI High School Championships in his freshman year at West Valley High School. |
| − | On February 19th, 2029, one week after Buck's dominant weekend at the Region VI | + | On February 19th, 2029, one week after Buck's dominant weekend at the Region VI Championships, William Sr. left on a snowmobile trek and did not return. An Alaska Game Warden found William Sr.'s body five days later, having died from exposure. |
After William Sr.'s death, Tina Marie moved the family back to Ellensburg to be closer to her family. Tina accepted a full time position at the university and Buck and his brothers started picking up odd jobs at the local farms. Due to the lack of organized winter sports in the area, Buck, now a sophomore at Ellensburg High School, was no longer able to compete in hockey and cross-country skiing. Instead, he took up wrestling in the winter and rugby in the spring. The Bulldogs football coach noticed Buck at rugby practice and, impressed by his work ethic, recruited him to play football in the coming fall. | After William Sr.'s death, Tina Marie moved the family back to Ellensburg to be closer to her family. Tina accepted a full time position at the university and Buck and his brothers started picking up odd jobs at the local farms. Due to the lack of organized winter sports in the area, Buck, now a sophomore at Ellensburg High School, was no longer able to compete in hockey and cross-country skiing. Instead, he took up wrestling in the winter and rugby in the spring. The Bulldogs football coach noticed Buck at rugby practice and, impressed by his work ethic, recruited him to play football in the coming fall. | ||
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Thornton made an immediate impact on the field. He led the team with 76 tackles in 2030 on the way to the Bulldogs' first winning season since 2018 and a playoff berth. In 2031, Buck set the state 2A record for tackles with 155. The Bulldogs rolled through the playoffs but eventually fell to Tumwater in the state championship game. | Thornton made an immediate impact on the field. He led the team with 76 tackles in 2030 on the way to the Bulldogs' first winning season since 2018 and a playoff berth. In 2031, Buck set the state 2A record for tackles with 155. The Bulldogs rolled through the playoffs but eventually fell to Tumwater in the state championship game. | ||
| − | His senior year, Buck placed 4th at the state wrestling championships in the 182lb weight class. | + | His senior year, Buck placed 4th at the state wrestling championships in the 182lb weight class. |
| + | |||
==College career== | ==College career== | ||
Thornton was not a highly-touted football prospect coming out of high school. He was offered a partial wrestling scholarship to Washington State University with an opportunity to walk on the football team but turned it down in order to attend Central Washington University and stay closer to family. | Thornton was not a highly-touted football prospect coming out of high school. He was offered a partial wrestling scholarship to Washington State University with an opportunity to walk on the football team but turned it down in order to attend Central Washington University and stay closer to family. | ||
Revision as of 06:55, 22 February 2020
 | This article is pending review by an Approver on the wiki team. Do not award TPE yet. |
 Buck on the run | |
| No. 45 – Undrafted | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Safety |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | August 5, 2014 (aged 48) Ellensburg, Washington, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Ellensburg High School |
| College: | Central Washington University |
| Career history | |
| Roster status: | Active |
Buck William Thornton (born December 5, 2013) is an American football safety who is currently unsigned by a professional team. He played college football for Central Washington University (CWU) and has declared his intent to enter the professional ranks next season.
Contents
Early years
Buck William Thornton was born in Ellensburg, Washington where his father, William John Thornton, was a professor of geology at Central Washington University. Buck's mother, Tina Marie (née Nelson) Thornton worked part time as a secretary in the university's music department. Buck has three younger brothers, Jack, Phillip, and William Jr.
In 2019, William Sr. moved the family to his birthplace of Fairbanks, Alaska where he accepted a position as Chancellor at the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. In Fairbanks, Buck took up hockey and cross-country skiing, as well as competitive shooting. Buck enjoyed spending time at the university with his father and was promptly noticed by several members of the athletic department. By the age of 13, Buck was practicing with both the university cross-county skiing and rifle teams and would participate in conditioning drills with the hockey team in the off season. He showed promise as a biathlete, placing first in both the cross-county and biathlon events of the Region VI High School Championships in his freshman year at West Valley High School.
On February 19th, 2029, one week after Buck's dominant weekend at the Region VI Championships, William Sr. left on a snowmobile trek and did not return. An Alaska Game Warden found William Sr.'s body five days later, having died from exposure.
After William Sr.'s death, Tina Marie moved the family back to Ellensburg to be closer to her family. Tina accepted a full time position at the university and Buck and his brothers started picking up odd jobs at the local farms. Due to the lack of organized winter sports in the area, Buck, now a sophomore at Ellensburg High School, was no longer able to compete in hockey and cross-country skiing. Instead, he took up wrestling in the winter and rugby in the spring. The Bulldogs football coach noticed Buck at rugby practice and, impressed by his work ethic, recruited him to play football in the coming fall.
Thornton made an immediate impact on the field. He led the team with 76 tackles in 2030 on the way to the Bulldogs' first winning season since 2018 and a playoff berth. In 2031, Buck set the state 2A record for tackles with 155. The Bulldogs rolled through the playoffs but eventually fell to Tumwater in the state championship game.
His senior year, Buck placed 4th at the state wrestling championships in the 182lb weight class.
College career
Thornton was not a highly-touted football prospect coming out of high school. He was offered a partial wrestling scholarship to Washington State University with an opportunity to walk on the football team but turned it down in order to attend Central Washington University and stay closer to family.
Thornton saw limited playing time as a freshman (most of his snaps came on special teams) and was struggling to keep up with the speed of collegiate receivers at his free safety position. The Wildcats' defensive backs coach suggested Buck put on some weight in the offseason and transition into the strong safety role.
Over the offseason Thornton climbed from 190lbs to 205lbs and earned a starting spot on the defense. Buck recorded 57 tackles and earned GNAC Player of the Week in week 8, posting 11 tackles, 2 tackles-for-loss, and a fumble return for a touchdown in a game against Dixie State.
In 2034 Thornton led the Wildcats with 89 tackles, 9 tackles-for-loss, and 3 forced fumbles, earning Division II 2nd Team All-American honors. The Wildcats finished 10-4, losing in the quarterfinals to Minnesota State.
Prior to the 2035 season, Thornton was selected to the preseason DII All-American Team. Buck lived up to the hype, gathering 119 tackles, 14.5 tackles-for-loss, 6 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 4 forced fumbles. He earned DII 1st Team All-American honors as well as a 5th place finish in the Harlon Hill Trophy voting. The Thornton-led defense held oppontents to a school record 11.3 points-per-game en route to an undefeated season and Central Washington's first ever national championship. Thornton picked off West Florida QB Austin Reed in the final minute of the national championship game to seal a 20-19 victory for the Wildcats.
College career statistics
| Career statistics | Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Other | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Total | TFL | Sack | Int | IntTD | DefTD | FFum | FRec | PD | Sfty |
| 2032 | CWU | 11 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2033 | CWU | 12 | 57 | 6.5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| 2034 | CWU | 14 | 89 | 9 | 2.5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
| 2035 | CWU | 15 | 119 | 14.5 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 2 |
| Total | 52 | 275 | 30 | 10.5 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 14 | 7 | 27 | 2 | |
Professional career statistics
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Achievements and records
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