As Daniel Buchanan approaches his decision, Villanova football waits

Villanova has been interested in Delbarton, West Virginia tight end Daniel Buchanan for a while in this recruiting cycle. So maybe it is no surprise that despite the interest he's received from a number of schools in FBS, the Wildcats have stuck around on his list. He had initially planned to announce his decision on August 4th, but that has been postponed.

Big decision on my future.. Getting closer every day! Thankful for this opportunity! (Recruitment still open) pic.twitter.com/L9CwpTgrrG

— Daniel (@DanielBuchanan5) July 3, 2016

The 6'6" 250-pound tight end (who also plays defensive end) would be a big get for the Wildcats if they can reel him in and would surely figure into their plans as the depth chart at those positions shuffles over the next few seasons. The 'Cats can't offer him a trip to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, but they can offer playing time, a rather competitive brand of football, a shot at a championship, and some really good academic programs.

Will that be enough to pass up on the bright lights of the AAC, MAC and Sun Belt conferences? He also had interest from Virginia Tech, Tennessee and Ohio.

He's an athlete who also plays power forward for the Mingo Central HS basketball team, scoring a little over 13 points per game. That is a good sign for a tight end, which can be a hugely valuable position in Villanova's offense -- when it's occupied by a player with a pair of good hands and that type of athleticism. He could also early contribute on the defensive line if needed, providing an athletic option rushing on the edge to create pressure and create opportunities for the 3-3-5 defensive alignment. That said, at Villanova, he seems most valuable as a versatile piece on the offensive side of the ball.

The other schools are looking at him at various position, some even looking at him as a potential offensive lineman.

Villanova's fast-paced offense would likely feel very familiar for Buchanan, who plays in a similarly fast-paced system in high school. That familiarity with offense that likes to run a lot of plays should make his transition to the college game a little easier.