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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Prepping for Pioneer Mike's return ... As It Was: Ashland Natatorium gave way to Twin Plunges ... Ticket availability ... Prepping for Pioneer Mike's return ... As It Was: Ashland Natatorium gave way to Twin Plunges ... Ticket availability ... NFL 49ers get a full set of Ducks San Francisco drafts Armstead to go with other former Oregon stars Comment By Ryan Thorburn The (Eugene) Register-Guard DailyTidings.com By Ryan Thorburn The (Eugene) Register-Guard Posted May. 4, 2016 at 3:01 PM By Ryan Thorburn The (Eugene) Register-Guard Posted May. 4, 2016 at 3:01 PM » Social News Oregon’s entire starting defensive line from the 2014 season has been reunited in the NFL. Alex Balducci, the Ducks’ steady and often overlooked defensive tackle, has signed with San Francisco as an undrafted free agent. The 49ers, now coached by Chip Kelly, drafted defensive end Arik Armstead in the first round in 2015 and selected defensive end DeForest Buckner with the No. 7 overall pick last Thursday. “Ducci is a hard worker, so I know he’s going to take care of everything he needs to do,” Buckner said of the 6-foot-4, 310-pound Balducci leading into the draft. “He knows a lot of the defense and he carries himself very well on and off the field. “I don’t think he’ll have a problem. He’s one of my close friends and I only wish the best for him.” Buckner was the Pac-12 defensive player of the year after finishing his senior season with 10½ sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 83 total tackles, facing consistent double- and triple-teams. Balducci added 40 tackles and 3½ sacks for the Ducks. The two Kelly recruits finished their Oregon careers with a 45-9 record. “Coming in my freshman year those were my two idols, especially Balducci, being the starting nose tackle,” said Oregon junior defensive lineman Austin Maloata, who had two sacks in Saturday’s spring game. “He was like my big brother. I was just glad he was there to help and guide me throughout the whole process.” Armstead declared for the NFL draft as a junior after starting alongside Balducci and Buckner in the national championship game. He led the Ducks with nine tackles and a forced fumble in the 42-20 loss to Ohio State on Jan. 12, 2015. All three will now be working professionally under former Oregon defensive line coach Jerry Azzinaro, their position coach as freshmen, who followed Kelly from Philadelphia to San Francisco this offseason. Buckner said he was hoping to be drafted by the 49ers after the Chargers took Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa with the No. 3 pick. “Everybody was talking about San Diego,” Buckner said of the pre-draft hype. “But I was praying to be reunited with Arik and coach Kelly and coach Azzinaro.” And now Balducci. Oregon linebacker Joe Walker was drafted by Kelly’s former team, the Eagles, in the seventh round (No. 251 overall). Vernon Adams Jr. did not hear his name called, but he will have a tryout with the Seahawks this week. The other Ducks who have signed as undrafted free agents are wide receiver Bralon Addison (Broncos), linebacker Tyson Coleman (Buccaneers), linebacker Christian French (Seahawks), offensive lineman Tyler Johnstone (Chargers), running back/receiver Byron Marshall (Eagles) and offensive lineman Matt Pierson (Texans). Follow Ryan on Twitter @rgduckfootball. By Ryan Thorburn The (Eugene) Register-Guard DailyTidings.com By Ryan Thorburn The (Eugene) Register-Guard Posted May. 4, 2016 at 3:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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