• Played in 46 games and started 22 in his Huskie career.
2024
• Started 10 (of 13) games at right tackle in 2024.
• NIU ranked second in the MAC in total offense (382.2 yards/game)
• The Huskies averaged 203.8 rushing yards per game to rank 16th nationally.
• NIU led the MAC in fewest sacks allowed with just 1.46 surrendered per game.
• Part of offensive line that led the way to 388 yards and an average of 6.0 yards per play to power the Huskies’ historic upset of No. 5 Notre Dame on September 7.
• Helped the Huskies to a season-high 706 yards of total offense versus Western Illinois (8/31), the third highest total in school history.
• NIU gained 350 or more yards in nine of 13 games on the season.
• Led the way to six 100-plus yard rushing games by Huskie backs in 2024.
• NIU had 391 yards of total offense against Toledo (10-19), it’s fifth game this season with at least 350 yards of offense.
• NIU rushed for a season-high 367 yards against UMass (10-5) with an average of 6.7 yards per carry.
• Earned CSC Academic All-District and Academic All-MAC honors.
2023
• Played in just five games, including the Camellia Bowl (12/23) and was able to use a redshirt season.
• Started the Boston College (9/2) and Southern Illinois (9/9) games at left tackle.
• Missed the next eight games due to injury.
• Returned for the Western Michigan (11/14) game and started in the Huskies' heavy package at tight end as NIU backs ran for season-best 287 yards on 50 carries.
• Also played the next week in NIU's win at Kent State (11/25) to clinch a bowl berth with the team rushing for 243 yards on 40 attempts.
• Contributed to NIU's three-game win streak to close out the season.
2022
• College Football Network named him to its second team All-MAC squad.
• Earned Academic All-MAC and CSC Academic All-District honors.
• Played in all 12 games.
• Entered the starting lineup at left tackle at Ball State (10-1) and started the last eight games of the season.
• The Huskies’ offensive line led the MAC by allowing just 1.0 sacks per game to rank 10th in the nation.
• NIU’s offensive line led the way for the second-ranked rushing offense in the MAC
• The Huskies averaged 190.4 yards per game to rank 34th in the country.
• Helped pave the way for the Huskies to set season-highs of 332 rushing yards and 526 yards of total offense at Ball State (10-1).
• NIU ran for 287 yards on 49 carries in win at Eastern Michigan (10-15).
2021
• Reserve offensive lineman played in the last 13 games of the season.
• Made his first career start in the Cure Bowl game versus Coastal Carolina (12-17) as part of NIU’s “heavy” package.
• Helped the Huskies to a season-high 355 rushing yards in the bowl game with both Antario Brown and Jay Ducker surpassing 100 yards.
• Used as an additional offensive lineman to augment NIU’s rushing attack throughout the year.
• NIU ranked fourth in the FBS in rushing offense with 241.4 yards/game.
• Huskie backs recorded 12 100-yard rushing games in the 13 games Buss played.
2020
• Appeared in all six games as a true freshman.
High School
• Named the 2019 Wisconsin Football Coaches Association (WFCA) Large School All-State Player of the Year.
• Awarded all-conference, all-area, and All-State honors as a senior.
• Second team all-conference honoree as a junior.
• Ranked 22nd in Wisconsin and 48th nationally among offensive linemen according to 247sports.com.
• Two-time varsity letterwinner (2018-19).
• Selected to play in Wisconsin All-Star Game following his senior year.
• High school team went 24-3 during his two varsity seasons and were state runner-ups in 2018.
• Earned Academic All-State recognition.
• Member of the National Honor Society.
Personal
• Born May 8 in Appleton, Wis.
• Son of Robyn and Neil Buss.
• Majoring in mechanical engineering.
