2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Max Buduris, LB, Bemidji State University

• Name: Max Buduris
• Position: LB
• College: Bemidji State University
• Height: 6’0”
• Weight: 212 lbs
• X (Twitter): @mbuduris7
• Instagram: @mbuduris7

What made you decide you wanted to be a football player?

I really grew up playing baseball, I started when I was 5 years old. When I got to 7th grade my baseball coach was the football coach and insisted I came out for football and after that first season football became my passion immediately.

What are your favorite moments from your football life?

One of my favorites was beating our HS rival Plainfield North my senior year. My favorite of all time though was winning our first home playoff game ever here at Bemidji State.

What are you looking to achieve as a football player going forward?

Competing at the highest of levels, and becoming the best professional I can as a football player and person.

Which one of your family members inspires you the most and why?

Definitely my mom, she’s the hardest working person I know. There are not words to describe how much she has done for me. She has always guided me to being as hard working and passionate I can be. To be fully invested in myself, and to be full of love for others.

If you could hang out with any football player past or present for a day who and why?

Definitely Maxx Crosby, I’m a huge raiders fan and he’s a dog, by far my favorite player. His interview on Bussin’ with the boys was sweet, and would love to hang with him for a day for sure.

What is your favorite defensive scheme and why?

Being apart of a 4-2-5, and running 3 match to both the boundary and field was extremely fun to learn and play in. I love being on pressures, and playing man to man. My school has had times where we played aggressive and sent pressure, and played our base cover 4 and 3 match. I just love playing fast and executing in any coverage/scheme as a defense. Everyone being dominantly assignment sound.

What should we know about Max Buduris the person?

The most important thing in my life is my faith in Jesus Christ. My main focus is to go about everyday serving and hopefully be a blessing to other people in any capacity. I have a strong desire to get the things I work for knowing he put it on my heart, and he wants all his children to be full of love and work hard.

What stands out about your film the most?

I would say it’s either my versatility or physicality. I had the opportunity to do a lot of different things in my college career, and wherever I was at on the defense I think I embodied the gang green style of defense playing fast and physical.

How do you handle challenges both in life and on the football field?

In life, I pray and have been blessed with a good support system. My mom, and aunts are all really supportive of me. They always remind me to go after what I want, and focus on things I can control because that’s all that matters. On the football field it is much easier. Genuinely loving adversity. No choice but to make a play to win. Our defense loved having the opportunity to kill a teams excitement thinking they were in a good position to score. Heros on offense, villains on defense.

What would a team get in a player like you?

A competitor. I’m passionate about this game, and details matter to me. Everything matters, especially relationships.

What do you love the most about the game of football?

The people. An abundance of different players, coaches, trainers, equipment staff, and how they communicate, play, coach, and prepare. This game tells a lot about who you are as a person, and I have been blessed to be around an abundance of amazing people. Also, getting that opportunity to go compete, go to war, and win.

Who is the most underrated player you’ve played with and why?

This is tough but I’ll try to keep it short. So much talent in this program at Bemidji State. Especially defensively, and only so many guys can get the attention they deserve because of us being a smaller D2 program. Jamel Stone, Cade Barrett, and Savon Cameron. Those 3 guys are D.O.G’s. Loves the game, loves to compete, and loves adversity. Mel went crazy this year and got snubbed when it came to recognition, Cade pretty much played on one leg the whole year and dominated people, and Savon seriously didn’t get the ball thrown at him. Maybe 10 times all year. Those guys are going to help do things at Bemidji State that have never been done before. Extremely talented D.O.G’s.