COLLEGE: Looking to add another dimension to the kicking game, the Dallas Cowboys added kicking specialist David Buehler with their third selection in the fifth round (172nd overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. Though the team already had two Pro Bowl kickers in punter Mat McBriar and kicker Nick Folk, Buehler's addition to the Cowboys special teams lies in his powerful kickoffs and rare athletic ability possessed by a kicker known to make the downfield tackles rarely seen at his position. For the second time in three years, the Cowboys used a draft pick on a kicker, allowing Buehler to join 2007 draftee Folk as the only two kickers selected by Dallas since the NFL Draft was shortened to seven rounds in 1994. Though his kicking stats were solid during his two seasons at Southern California where he was successful on 26-of-33 field goals (78.8%) and was 117-of-120 on PATs to tally 195 total points while also pinning opponents within their own 20-yard line on 105-of-180 kickoffs with 69 touchbacks, Buehler's surprising talent comes from his display of athleticism. At the NFL Combine, Buehler's 25 repetitions bench pressing 225 pounds was more than three of the 2009 NFL Draft's elite offensive linemen - Eugene Monroe of Virginia (Jacksonville Jaguars), Michael Oher of Mississippi (Baltimore Ravens) and Max Unger of Oregon (Seattle Seahawks) while he also clocked a 4.57 timing in the 40-yard dash.
TRANSACTION SUMMARY:
4/26/09: Drafted in the fifth round (172nd overall) by Dallas.
2008:
All-America second-team selection as a kickoff specialist by The NFL Draft Report and an AIl-Pac 10 Conference first-team choice.
Named the team's Co-Special Teams Player of the Year.
Handled placekicking and kickoff duties in all 13 games as a senior, connecting on 65-of-66 PATs and nine-of-13 field goals for 92 points.
Also posted a pair of solo tackles.
48 of his 88 kickoffs were good for touchbacks (54.5%) and 64 pinned foes within the 20-yard line (72.7%).
At Virginia, he hit all seven of his PATs and a 20-yard field goal, plus five of his nine kickoffs pinned the Cavaliers within the 20-yard line (with three touchbacks).
Hit all five of his PATs and five of his six kickoffs pinned the Buckeyes within the 20 (with three touchbacks).
Scored 14 points against Oregon by hitting all five of his PATs and all of his season-high three field goals (21, 36 and 42 yards) with touchbacks on six of his nine kickoffs.
Had a season-high nine touchbacks on his 11 kickoffs (with another pinning the Cougars within the 20) and hit a season-high nine-of-10 PATs at Washington State.
Had touchbacks on three of his four kickoffs while also hitting both PATs and was one-of-two on field goals (a 43-yarder) at Arizona while also being credited with a touchdown-saving tackle on a kickoff.
Against Washington, hit all eight of his PATs and seven of his nine kickoffs pinned the Huskies within the 20 (with four touchbacks) to earn Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Against Notre Dame, earned Pac-10 Special Teams Player of the Week honors as he hit a 35-yard field goal and all five of his PATs, plus five of his seven kickoffs pinned the Irish within the 20 (with four touchbacks).
He hit all five of his PATs and a 30-yard field goal against Penn State, plus six of his seven kickoffs pinned the Nittany Lions within the 20 (with two touchbacks) in the Rose Bowl.
2007:
All-Pac 10 Conference honorable mention in his first season as the team's full-time placekicker as a junior after converting 16-of-19 field goals (84.2%) and 52-of-54 PATs (96.3%), as his 100 points scored rank third among USC kickers all-time for a season.
Added three solo tackles on the coverage unit while playing in all 13 games.
Kicked off 84 times, pinning the opponent inside the 20-yard line 35 times, including 18 touchbacks.
In the season-opener against Idaho, kicked off seven times to pin the Vandals inside their own 20-yard line a season-best six times while also adding four touchbacks.
Was perfect on a season-high seven PATs at Nebraska.
Booted two field goals (23, 29) against Washington State while also tackling a WSU kick returner who had broken free at midfield to save a touchdown.
Connected on a season-long 47-yard field goal against Oregon State.
Was perfect on a season-high three field goals (42, 20, 37) along with three touchbacks on nine kickoffs at Arizona State.
Booted a 46-yard field goal against UCLA.
Tied his season-high with seven PATs against Illinois in the Rose Bowl while also adding a season-best five touchbacks on all five kickoffs.
2006:
As a sophomore, transferred to USC in the fall of 2006 from a Santa Ana Junior College where he served as a backup placekicker, specializing in kickoffs, and on special teams, but also worked at fullback and safety (he did not see action at those spots).
Appeared in 11 games (all but Arkansas and Nebraska), mainly on special teams.
Hit his only field goal attempt, a 49-yarder, against California to mark the longest field goal by a Trojan since Adam Abrams had a 49-yarder at Oregon in 1998.
Kicked off in two games - once at Stanford and the entire Michigan game.
Of his eight kickoffs, six pinned opponents within the 20-yard line with three touchbacks.
2005:
Buehler earned All-Mission Conference National Division first team as a freshman placekicker, linebacker and running back at Santa Ana Junior College.
Tops in the league with 25 touchbacks on his 58 kickoffs.
Ranked seventh on the team with 29 tackles (19 solos) and had a 13-yard interception return.
Also rushed for 50 yards on nine carries (5.6 avg.) with five touchdowns and added a two-yard scoring catch.
PERSONAL:
Attended Canyon High School in Anaheim, Cal., earning All-Century League team honors as a senior.
Also lettered in volleyball, golf and track.
Majored in public policy, management and planning while at USC.
Father, John, was a three-year letterman (1969-71) on USC's track team as a shot putter while his Uncle, George Buehler, lettered in football at Stanford for three years (1966-68) and then played guard with the Oakland Raiders (1969-78) and Cleveland Browns (1978-79).
