“I came from nothing,” says senior cornerback Martice Buckley.

Buckley came to Southern already having a plan of being successful on and off the field. He says he owes everything to his family. Buckley was a two-time All-District selection and Defensive MVP at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Miss. before he came to Southern.

In 2014, Buckley appeared in 10 games for the Lions, including one start against Missouri Western State. He finished with 14 total tackles, eight solo and six assisted, not to mention his lone interception that led to a win of 42-21 against Washburn. Currently, Buckley has 22 solo and eight assisted tackles. He was recently voted as a captain for the previous game against Washburn, and he doesn’t plan to stop there.

“I’m inspired by knowing that my family supports me,” said Buckley. His mother Linda Buckley, father Timothy Buckley, and sister Shamanda James completed his support system until he welcomed his first child, Aubrey Buckley. Buckley welcomed his newborn daughter on July 9, 2014. Buckley’s strong support system of four became a superior support system of five. Aubrey became her father’s number one fan. Family is the only thing that helps this strong cornerback persevere; he knows that without family he wouldn’t be where he is today.

Even though the Lions have come up short in four games this season, Buckley still shows determination and leadership for his team.

“It’s not all about perfection, it’s about direction! That’s the best advice I was ever given,” says Buckley.

This Charleston, Miss. native has a bright and dominant future ahead of him, understanding that even if he doesn’t make it to the NFL, he has a backup plan. Make no mistake, this substantial senior has been humbled at what life has brought him, ready to open the doors to new experiences.

Graduating in the spring semester of 2016, Buckley understands this will be his last season as a Lion and he plans to leave all of his hard work on the field. Already having a job waiting for him after he receives his degree, Buckley plans to instill the same knowledge that was taught to him. Coaching is what he aspires to do; however, coaching at one of the schools he has recently attended would be an added bonus. In the next five years Buckley plans on working towards coaching at the collegiate level with a ring on his finger and another child.

The first step to success is being humble, the second is determination, the last step is believing in yourself. Buckley has already shown all three of those on the field and in his personal life. Martice Buckley will always keep his family first in any decision that he makes.