49ers add Oregon’s Buckner, Stanford’s Garnett

Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO

As DeForest Buckner waited for his name to be called, he hoped for this very scenario: An Oregon reunion in Northern California.

Chip Kelly’s first draft pick as San Francisco 49ers coach is a familiar face from his days in charge at Oregon, with Buckner ready to join his old coach to help a formerly vaunted defense return to NFL elite status.

San Francisco selected the Ducks defensive end with the No. 7 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night.

Later, the 49ers traded up to select Stanford guard Joshua Garnett at No. 28.

Buckner will be part of ushering in the Kelly era after the defender was recruited to Oregon by Kelly and played his first season of 2012 during Kelly’s last in Eugene before the coach departed to take the Eagles’ top job. Buckner is an ideal fit as an end in San Francisco’s 4-3 defensive scheme. He had 101/2 sacks last season and was also credited with 16 quarterback hits and 39 hurries, according to Pro Football Focus.

Buckner also will join former Oregon teammate and fellow 6-foot-7 defensive lineman Arik Armstead, the Niners’ first-round pick at No. 17 last year. They will be directed by their former Oregon position coach, too, new Niners defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro.

“I’m probably the happiest guy in the draft right now, being reunited with Arik, having that history with him back in Oregon,” Buckner said from his native Hawaii. “He’s a good friend. We’ve been talking about it a little bit throughout the draft process.”

The 49ers addressed a big need on their offensive line, trading with Kansas City for another first-round pick to select Garnett.

Garnett started 14 games for the Rose Bowl champion Cardinal at left guard last season, playing in front of record-setting running back and AP Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey.