Mario Buford Season 2024

2024 (Freshman)
Mario Buford has played in eight games as a true freshman, totaling seven tackles. He saw extensive playing time in the secondary against Northern Iowa, finishing with the first three tackles of his career. Buford also saw extended action in the secondary at Purdue, totaling two solo tackles. He recorded two more tackles at Indiana while posting the first pass breakup of his career.

Before Nebraska (DeSoto [Texas] HS)
Buford joined Nebraska from powerhouse DeSoto High School in Texas. Buford helped the Eagles to back-to-back state championships under Coach Claude Mathis.

DeSoto went 15-0 in Buford’s senior season, winning the school’s second straight 6A D-II state title while earning a top-10 national ranking. According to MaxPreps, Buford totaled 42 tackles as a senior. He also helped DeSoto to a state championship as a junior when he recorded 32 tackles and forced a fumble. Buford saw action on the varsity team as a sophomore, finishing with 18 tackles.

Buford also competed in track and field at DeSoto. He boasted a personal-best time of 23.85 in the 200 meters with a personal-best long jump of more than 20 feet.

A four-star recruit, Buford was ranked among the nation’s top 25 cornerbacks by On3, which also ranked him as the No. 180 overall recruit.

Mario is the younger brother of Marques Buford Jr., a junior defensive back for the Huskers.