More from Buckner

Here are some DeForest Buckner quotes from Curtis Murayama on Thursday that did’t make it into our coverage on draft day, as the defensive end from Maili, Punahou and Oregon was picked by the San Francisco 49ers with the 7th overall pick in the first round.

Regarding other players from Hawaii in the draft:

“It’s not just me in the draft from Hawaii. There’s Kamalei Correa and Kaimi (Fairbairn) who was my teammate (at Punahou). There are other guys representing the state along with me, trying to make history. It’s a really good feeling knowing I’m not alone in the draft and I have other guys with me that I care about and I hope get picked up early.”

Correa, the outside linebacker from Saint Louis School and Boise State, was selected with the 42nd overall pick, in the second round by the Baltimore Ravens on Friday.

Projections have Fairbairn being picked in the sixth or seventh round on Saturday.

On the family prayer before entering the restaurant Thursday on draft day:

“My cousin Iris (Lau) just wanted to say a prayer with us so the Lord can bless our family and mention the sacrifice and ups-and-downs our family had to go through,” Buckner said. “We really had some struggles.”