A two-year starter on the defensive line ... Third on the 2024 squad in TFLs ... Named the 20th-best returning NCAA FCS defensive lineman by HERO Sports in 2024 ... Moved into the starting lineup on the defensive line in 2023, starting all eleven games ... Led team with four fumble recoveries ... Made an immediate impact as a freshman on the defensive line ... Appeared in all 12 games as a rookie ... Earned First Team All-GCL honors at St. Xavier High School ... Named to the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Patriot League Academic Honor Roll.

2024 (Junior Season)
• Started all 12 games at defensive tackle.
• Named Second Team All-Patriot League by PhilSteele.com.
• Recorded 41 total tackles, 16 solo, including 8.0 for loss and 2.0 sacks.
• Third on team in tackles for loss.
• Also had two quarterback hurries and blocked a kick.
• Made a season-high nine tackles, four solo, including 1.5 for loss and one sack at Dartmouth.
• Compiled seven stops versus Stony Book.
• Had six tackles, three solo, including 2.5 for loss, in season finale with Merrimack.
• Registered four tackles, two solo, including 1.5 for loss, against Lehigh.
• Also had four stops and blocked a field goal at Central Connecticut.

2023 (Sophomore Season)
• Started all eleven games as a sophomore at defensive tackle.
• Recorded 35 total tackles, 12 solo.
• Included in the 35 tackles were 4.5 for loss and one sack.
• Led team with four fumble recoveries.
• Also had two quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
• Made a season-high six tackles at Georgetown.
• Registered five stops, including 0.5 for loss, at Lafayette.
• Finished with three tackles, two for loss, in season opener at Albany.
• Had four tackles, three solo, including 1.5 for loss and one sack, in win over Bucknell.
• Made three stops and recovered a fumble at win at Stony Brook.
• Had a pair of fumble recoveries in Wagner win.

2022 (Freshman Season)
• Appeared in all 12 games as a freshman, making one start.
• Recorded 13 total tackles, three solo, including 4.0 for loss and 4.0 sacks.
• Also had two quarterback hurries.
• Made four tackles, including 3.0 sacks, in win over Colgate.
• Had three tackles and a quarterback hurry in the season opener at Wagner.

Before Fordham
• A graduate of St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Lettered in football for head coach Steve Specht.
• Member of the 2020 Division 1 State Championship team.
• Earned First Team All-GCL South honors.
 
Personal
• Son of Lisa and Steve Buerkle.
• Has an older sister (Maria) and an older brother (Jake).
• An Applied Accounting and Finance major.