JJ Buchanan

Last updated

JJ Buchanan
Michigan Wolverines
Position Tight end / wide receiver
ClassSophomore
Personal information
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school Coronado (Henderson, Nevada)
College
Stats at ESPN

JJ Buchanan is an American college football tight end and wide receiver for the Michigan Wolverines. He previously played for the Utah Utes in 2025.

Contents

Early life and high school

Buchanan attended Coronado High School in Henderson, Nevada. He played both basketball and high school football, playing safety, tight end, receiver, running back, linebacker, punt and kick returner. Buchanan had over 2,000 all-purpose yards during his final two seasons. As a senior, he had 60 tackles on defense and 1,023 receiving yards with eleven touchdowns on offense. [1] [2] Buchanan was rated as a four-star recruit and the No. 184 overall player in the class of 2025 by 247Sports. [3] He committed to play college football for the Utah Utes. [4]

College career

Utah

In 2025, Buchanan enrolled at the University of Utah and entered his freshman season in line to be a key contributor. [5] In week three of the 2025 season, he caught his first collegiate touchdown versus Wyoming. [6] In week five, Buchanan caught the Utes' first touchdown of the game against West Virginia. [7] In the regular season finale, he had two catches for 65 yards and a touchdown in a win against Kansas. [8] Buchanan finished his freshman season with 26 receptions for 427 yards and five touchdowns [9] He led the nation in receiving yards for all freshman tight ends. [10] After the season, Buchanan entered the NCAA transfer portal. [11] [12]

Michigan

In January 2026, Buchanan transferred to the University of Michigan, following head coach Kyle Whittingham from Utah. [13] [14] He was one of the most highly rated players in the nation to transfer, ranked as a top 50 player by ESPN, and a top 20 player by 247Sports and CBS Sports. [15] [16] [17]

References

  1. Nick Walters (January 21, 2025). "Coronado star, Utah signee JJ Buchanan one of college football's most versatile prospects". KTNV Las Vegas.
  2. "Coronado star, Utah signee JJ Buchanan one of college football's most versatile prospects". KTNV. January 22, 2025.
  3. "JJ Buchanan Recruiting Profile". 247Sports . Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  4. Judd, Brandon (June 23, 2024). "Utah receives commitment from 3-star athlete JJ Buchanan". Deseret News. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  5. Coles, Joe (August 27, 2025). "This freshman tight end may be Utes' 'biggest surprise' heading into 2025". Deseret News. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  6. Holt, Chandler. "Jackson Bennee Interception Sets Up JJ Buchanan Touchdown". KSL Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  7. Holt, Chandler. "JJ Buchanan Fights Through Pass Interference For Utah's First Touchdown". KSL Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  8. Berry, Seth. "Michigan football trending to land key offensive target from transfer portal". Michigan Wolverines On SI. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  9. Judd, Brandon; Coles, Joe (January 7, 2026). "Report: Two significant Utah players have entered the transfer portal". Deseret News. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  10. "JJ Buchanan Profile". University of Utah Athletics.
  11. Cole Forsman (January 7, 2026). "Utah loses key offensive player to the transfer portal". Utah Utes on SI. Retrieved January 20, 2026.
  12. Schulte, AJ. "Michigan Wolverines in driver's seat for pair of talented transfer playmakers to help Bryce Underwood elevate offense next season". A to Z Sports. Retrieved January 11, 2026.
  13. Tony Garcia (January 11, 2026). "JJ Buchanan, ex-Utah tight end, transferring to Michigan football". Detroit Free Press.
  14. "Utah tight end commits to Michigan after breakout freshman season". Mlive.com . January 11, 2026.
  15. Max Olson (January 28, 2026). "Ranking the best players in the college football transfer portal". ESPN.com.
  16. "2026 college football all transfer portal rankings". 247Sports.
  17. Cooper Petagna (January 29, 2026). "College football's top 100 transfer portal players for 2026: Where they're headed and why they matter". CBS Sports.