Syracuse attends ACC Media Days in less than a week, and now the players attending are finalized. On July 10th, Syracuse announced defensive back Duce Chestnut, quarterback Rickie Collins Jr., linebacker Derek McDonald, and defensive lineman Dion “Tank” Wilson Jr. would attend Media Day with Coach Fran Brown. Brown has since changed his mind, electing to bring more experienced players. Collins will still attend Media Days, due to the ACC asking schools to bring a quarterback. As for the other three players, Syracuse will bring punter Jack Stonehouse, tight end Dan Villari, and defensive back Berry Buxton III.
Here’s more information about Villari and Buxton, who both graduate at the end of the year.
Syracuse Media Day Attendees
Dan Villari, Tight End
Villari, now the number one tight end for the Orange, has had quite the journey becoming the guy at Syracuse. Formerly a quarterback at Plainedge High School, Villari helped his school win its first-ever Long Island Class III State Championship. In his varsity career, Villari went 23-1, throwing for over 1,000 yards and rushing for over 1,000. He would later commit to Michigan as the 59th-best quarterback and the 32nd-best pro-style quarterback in the 2020 class per 247Sports.
At Michigan, Villiari had trouble finding a spot on the field with Cade McNamara and JJ McCarthy on the roster. As a true freshman, Villari never touched the field due to Covid and his position on the depth chart. In year two, he was redshirted, appearing in four games. At the end of the 2021 season, Villari transferred to Syracuse, changing to tight end.
Since transferring, Villari has been a solid backup tight end for the Orange, but now he’ll be the starter. In year one with the Orange, Villari started three games but was most viable on special teams. In 2023, starter Oronde Gadsden II got injured, cutting his season short, allowing Villari the chance to start. He would start ten games as an all-purpose player. He would line up under center, play running back, and eventually find his calling at tight end. At quarterback, he threw for three touchdowns and ran for two.
In 2024, Villari continued to be an all-purpose weapon, appearing in 12 games, only missing their bowl game, the DIRECTV Holiday Bowl against Washington State. Through the air, Villari only had six catches and 57 yards, but on the ground, he offered 29 yards and a touchdown. Now, as the starter, Villari’s production will see an increase through the passing game and the running game. Villari, like Michigan wide receiver Donaven McCulley and Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers, has found success switching from quarterback. Villari will team up with sophomore tight end Jamie Tremble.
Berry Buxton III, Defensive Back
Only three years ago, Berry Buxton III was playing juco ball at Santa Barbara City College. Now, he is representing Syracuse at ACC Media Days and is expected to lead the secondary with Duce Chestnut and Devin Grant.
Unrated out of high school, Buxton immediately flourished at SBCC. In his freshman year, Buxton provided three interceptions, including a pick-six, seven pass breakups, and a fumble recovery. His sophomore year, he would redshirt, ultimately transferring to the Orange on July 17, 2023, as a three-star juco recruit.
In 2023, he would play in nine games, predominantly on special teams. He would rack in two tackles. Last season, Buxton’s play increased as he would play in the secondary more. He started five games at defensive back, ending with 20 total tackles, 15 of them being solo tackles. Five of those tackles were at Cal on November 16, 2024. Now in his final year, Buxton looks to improve even more.
Both Villari and Buxton look to capitalize on their final seasons. They now have the honor of representing their position group, their side of the ball, Coach Brown, and Syracuse football.
Clicking on Syracuse Quarterback Battle and Syracuse Special Teams will tell you more about Rickie Collins and Jack Stonehouse. Stay tuned for updates on Syracuse football, including news on ACC Media Days. Syracuse is on Wednesday, July 23, at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Main Image: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images
