{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Johnny Buchanan | image = | image_size = | alt = | caption = | current_team = | number = | position = Linebacker | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|7|25|mf=y}} | birth_place = Brick Township, New Jersey, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 5 | height_in = 11 | weight_lb = 230 | high_school = Brick Township (NJ)<br>St. John Vianney (NJ) | college = Delaware (2018–2022) | undraftedyear = 2023 | pastteams = * St. Louis Battlehawks ({{UFL Year|2024}}) * Birmingham Stallions ({{UFL Year|2026}})* | status =Active | highlights = * First-team FCS All-American (2022) * 3× All-CAA (2020-2022) | statlabel1 = | statvalue1 = | statlabel2 = | statvalue2 = | pfr = }} '''Johnny Christian Buchanan''' (born July 25, 1999)<ref name="auto4">{{Cite web|url=https://bluehens.com/sports/football/roster/johnny-buchanan/26350|publisher=Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens|title=Johnny Buchanan}}</ref> is an American football linebacker. He played college football at Delaware.
==Early life== Buchanan was born on July 25, 1999.<ref name="auto4"/> His father, John, played football at Rutgers, while his cousin Collin Olsen was a running back at FIU; his great uncle, Joe Auer, played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons, scoring a touchdown on the first play in the Dolphins' history.<ref name="auto6">{{Cite web|url=https://steelersdepot.com/2023/04/2023-nfl-draft-player-profiles-delaware-lb-johnny-buchanan/|website=SteelersDepot.com|title=2023 NFL Draft Player Profiles: Delaware LB Johnny Buchanan|author=Carney, Josh|date=April 17, 2023}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123692061/the-news-journal/|newspaper=The News Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 7, 2019|page=C1, [https://newspapers.com/clip/123692142/the-news-journal/ C3]|author=Tresolini, Kevin|title=Next Man Up: Delaware's Buchanan is ready to fill the void left at linebacker}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/AuerJo00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Joe Auer Stats}}</ref>
Buchanan grew up in Brick, New Jersey, and played freshman football at Brick Township High School before transferring to St. John Vianney High School.<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto7">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123690400/the-news-journal/|newspaper=The News Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 4, 2022|page=B1, [https://newspapers.com/clip/123690478/the-news-journal/ B7]|author=Tesolini, Kevin|title=UD football has nation's top tackler; can he stop nation's top rusher?}} {{Open access}}</ref> He was a two-way player at St. John Vianney, seeing time at running back and linebacker, and was considered one of their most versatile players.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123692477/asbury-park-press/|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 17, 2016|page=C1, [https://newspapers.com/clip/123692564/asbury-park-press/ C3]|title=SJV's Buchanan a heavy hitter|author=Rotolo, Chris}} {{Open access}}</ref> He followed the philosophy used by All-American East Carolina back Scott Harley, called "seek and destroy" – to "punish [the defenders] before they punish you."<ref name="auto">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123693211/asbury-park-press/|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 22, 2021|page=B5, [https://newspapers.com/clip/123693288/asbury-park-press/ B8]|title=These bruisers brought the boom|author=Melvin, Chris}} {{Open access}}</ref> Buchanan said, "when I played running back, some of the most fun plays were making a quick move and going 70-yards untouched – but something about running through somebody's face is unmatched – so really I had the same mentality on both sides of the ball: make my opponent pay for carrying the ball or trying to tackle me."<ref name="auto"/> He studied players such as Ray Lewis, Brian Dawkins, Sean Taylor and Lawrence Taylor to improve his hitting style.<ref name="auto"/>
As a junior at St. John Vianney in 2016, Buchanan totaled 140{{NoteTag|Reported as 140 in the ''Asbury Park Press'', 139 on Patch.com, 145 on the University of Delaware website.<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto9">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123693966/asbury-park-press/|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 7, 2017|page=F16|title=Buchanan set to be a double threat|author=Rotolo, Chris}} {{Open access}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/holmdel-hazlet/sjvs-johnny-buchanan-headed-university-delaware|website=Patch.com|author=Williams, Carol|title=SJV's Johnny Buchanan Headed To University Of Delaware |date=December 20, 2017}}</ref>}} tackles, placing eighth in the state, four sacks, two forced fumbles, two recoveries and two interceptions as he helped his school reach the playoff semifinals.<ref name="auto9"/><ref name="auto1"/> He additionally posted 433 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns{{NoteTag|The Delaware website records 500 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while the ''Asbury Park Press'' reported 433 yards and 12 touchdowns.<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto9"/>}} on offense, being named first-team All-Shore, second-team All-State, All-Division, and the conference Defensive Player of the Year.<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto9"/>
Buchanan was named as a senior first-team All-State, All-Division, first-team All-Shore, All-Metro, the conference Defensive Player of the Year and the Class A Central Defensive Player of the Year.<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto10">{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/123696453/asbury-park-press/|newspaper=Asbury Park Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 17, 2017|page=C11|title=All-Shore: Football: Defense|author=Falk, Steve}} {{Open access}}</ref> On offense, he posted 1,393 yards off 152 attempts with 17 touchdowns, and defensively he recorded 121 tackles, three sacks and an interception.{{NoteTag|The Delaware website lists 1,400 rushing yards and 130 tackles with four sacks, while the ''Asbury Park Press'' reported 1,393 rushing yards, 121 tackles and three sacks.<ref name="auto4"/><ref name="auto10"/>}} While Buchanan was with St. John Vianney, they compiled an overall record of 31–3 and won the conference championship each year; he was twice their team captain and named their most valuable player.<ref name="auto4"/>
==College career== Buchanan received several offers to play college football, including from FCS teams Monmouth, Elon and Albany, but committed to Delaware after getting their offer on his birthday.<ref name="auto2"/> He spent his true freshman year, 2018, being mentored by Troy Reeder and Charles Bell while being a backup.<ref name="auto2"/> He appeared in ten games, none of which he started, and totaled seven tackles and one interception.<ref name="auto8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.footballdb.com/players/johnny-buchanan-bucha0027|website=The Football Database|title=Johnny Buchanan Stats}}</ref> After both Reeder and Bell graduated in 2019, Buchanan was able to see more action.<ref name="auto2"/> He appeared in nine games, starting five, and made 47 tackles, additionally returning an interception against Stony Brook 33 yards for the only score of his career.<ref name="auto8"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/knight-buchanan-tds-lift-delaware-over-stony-brook-17-10/|work=CBS Sports|title=Knight, Buchanan TDs lift Delaware over Stony Brook 17-10|date=November 16, 2019|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
In the 2020 season, played in spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Buchanan started all eight games and recorded 42 tackles, placing second on the team, with one sack, helping them qualify for the playoffs.<ref name="auto4"/> He made at least three tackles in every game and was named first-team All-CAA Football after the season.<ref name="auto4"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/sports/2021/04/21/player-year-lee-leads-blue-hens-all-caa-football/7291457002/|newspaper=The News Journal|title=UD football places 7 on all-conference first team, including offensive player of the year|date=April 21, 2021|author=Tresolini, Kevin}}</ref> Buchanan appeared in all 11 games the following season, starting eight while leading the team with 81 tackles, including 5.5 for a loss, in addition to one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a single interception.<ref name="auto4"/> After the year, he was selected second-team all-conference.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://baytobaynews.com/delaware/stories/roundup-delaware-state-university-puts-17-football-players-on-all-meac,64557|newspaper=Delaware State News|title=Roundup: Delaware State University puts 17 football players on All-MEAC|date=November 23, 2021}}</ref>
After the firing of Danny Rocco in 2022, Buchanan entered the NCAA transfer portal, although he later decided to stay at Delaware.<ref name="auto7"/> In what would be his final season at the school, he totaled 150 tackles, leading the entire FCS, and was named first-team All-CAA as well as to seven All-America teams.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://insidetheiggles.com/2023/04/04/eagles-delaware-linebacker-pro-day/|website=FanSided|title=Eagles news: Philadelphia invites Delaware linebacker to local pro day|author=Quattro, Jackie|date=April 4, 2023}}</ref> He also recorded 1.5 sacks, 8.5 {{abbr|TFLs|tackles-for-loss}}, and one forced fumble with one recovered, being a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award for best defensive player in the FCS.<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://skylinesportsmt.com/illinois-states-vandenburgh-wins-stats-perform-buck-buchanan-award/|website=Skyline Sports|title=Illinois State's Vandenburgh wins Stats Perform Buck Buchanan Award|date=January 7, 2023|author=Nuanez, Colter}}</ref> Buchanan posted in five games over 15 tackles, including a team record-tying 23 tackles in their win over FBS opponent Navy, for which he was named the national defensive player of the week.<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://caasports.com/news/2022/9/5/football-delawares-buchanan-honored-as-fedex-ground-fcs-national-defensive-player-of-the-week.aspx|publisher=Colonial Athletic Association|date=September 5, 2022|title=Delaware's Buchanan Honored As FedEx Ground FCS National Defensive Player Of the Week|author=Washburn, Rob}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://baytobaynews.com/delaware/stories/blue-hens-give-carty-a-win-over-navy-in-his-debut-as-coach,87853|newspaper=Delaware State News|title=Blue Hens give Carty a win over Navy in his debut as coach|date=September 3, 2022|author=Walter, Andy|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
Buchanan declared for the NFL draft following the 2022 season, finishing his stint at Delaware with a total of 326 tackles, including 16.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, four pass breakups, three interceptions, and two forced fumbles with two fumble recoveries.<ref name="auto3"/><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Buchanan, Johnny |user=J_Buchanan_1 |number=1600577127824375845 |date=December 7, 2022 |title=All glory to God. Time to go get it.}}</ref>
==Professional career== {{NFL predraft | height ft = 5 | height in = 11 1/3 | weight = 228 | arm span = 30 3/8 | hand span = 9 | dash = 4.58 | ten split = 1.56 | twenty split = | shuttle = 4.10 | cone drill = 7.2 | vertical = 40 | broad ft = 10 | broad in = 7 | bench = 22 | wonderlic = | note = All values from pro day<ref name="auto6"/> }} Buchanan attended Delaware's pro day, at which he posted a 40-inch vertical jump, a 4.58 40-yard dash and 22 bench press repetitions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://theeagleswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/01/eagles-news-johnny-buchanan-2023-nfl-draft-local-pro-day-tryout/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Report: Delaware linebacker Johnny Buchanan to participate in Eagles' local pro day|date=April 1, 2023|author=Erby, Glenn}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://milfordlive.com/9-participate-in-delaware-football-pro-day/|newspaper=Milford LIVE|title=9 participate in Delaware football Pro-Day|author=Alessandrini, Nick|date=March 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thedraftnetwork.com/2023-nfl-draft-pro-day-standouts/|publisher=The Draft Network|title=NFL Draft 2023: 13 Pro Day Standouts You Need To Know|date=March 27, 2023|author=Fowler, Ryan}}</ref> Afterwards, he was invited to attend local pro days with the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants and New York Jets.<ref name="auto5">{{Cite news|url=https://giantswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/02/delaware-johnny-buchanan-will-attend-new-york-giants-local-pro-day/|newspaper=USA Today|title=Delaware LB Johnny Buchanan will attend Giants' local pro day|author=Benton, Dan|date=April 2, 2023}}</ref> He was projected as either a late-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft or a priority undrafted free agent.<ref name="auto5"/> Buchanan ended up going unselected in the draft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bears/full-list-every-pick-2023-nfl-draft|publisher=NBC Sports|title=Full list of every pick from the 2023 NFL Draft|date=April 29, 2023|author=Reardon, Logan}}</ref> He was afterwards invited to the rookie minicamp of the Pittsburgh Steelers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://steelersdepot.com/2023/05/delaware-lb-johnny-buchanan-invited-to-steelers-rookie-minicamp/|website=SteelersDepot.com|date=May 10, 2023|author=Carney, Josh|title=Delaware LB Johnny Buchanan Invited To Steelers Rookie Minicamp}}</ref>
=== St. Louis Battlehawks === On June 16, 2023, Buchanan was selected by the St. Louis Battlehawks in the XFL's Rookie Draft.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2023 |title=St. Louis Battlehawks Select 10 Players in XFL Rookie Draft |url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/st-louis-battlehawks-select-10-players-in-xfl-rookie-draft/n-5976181 |access-date=June 17, 2023 |website=OurSports Central |language=en}}</ref> He signed a letter of intent on October 18, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |website=XFL.com |access-date=December 25, 2023}}</ref> He was placed on injured reserve on March 4, 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 2024 |title=UFL Player Transactions, Monday March 4, 2024 |url=https://uflboard.com/news/ufl-player-transactions-monday-march-4-2024/ |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=UFLBoard.com}}</ref>
==References== ===Notes=== {{NoteFoot}}
===Citations=== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buchanan, Johnny}} Category:1999 births Category:Living people Category:American football linebackers Category:American football running backs Category:Sportspeople from Brick Township, New Jersey Category:Players of American football from Ocean County, New Jersey Category:Brick Township High School alumni Category:St. John Vianney High School (New Jersey) alumni Category:Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football players Category:St. Louis Battlehawks players