The likely most talked about moment for the 2026 college football season so far came out of Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Saturday night, Sept. 5, as the Michigan Wolverines beat Western Michigan 13-12 on a last-second hail Mary attempt.
The play itself came after the referees awarded the Wolverines back a second after it their previous pass flew out of bounds. Instead of the game ending like everyone watching assumed it would happen, the play went under review, and Michigan was awarded one more play.
Former five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood fired up one last pass and connected with JJ Buchanan on a 47-yard touchdown connection that will be talked about for decades to come.
Underwood's recruitment was one of the high-profile stories of the 2025 recruiting
cycle. His tenure at Michigan has been a tumultuous one so far filled with more lows than highs so far.
However, Saturday night went from being the lowest moment in Week 1 of the college football season to the highest thanks to a reception from a former four-star talent many people may not be as familiar with.
Who is the Michigan receiver that will be remembered on campus for the rest of time? Here's a look at new Wolverine star JJ Buchanan.
A former 4-star from Nevada who followed Whittingham to Ann Arbor
According to 247Sports, Buchanan was the No. 184 prospect, the No. 9 athlete and No. 5 player out of Nevada in the 2025 recruiting cycle.
Buchanan went to Coronado High School in Henderson, Nevada, where he established himself as one of the best overall players in the state regardless of class. He finished his high school career with 98 receptions for 1,704 yards and 14 touchdowns.
He committed to Kyle Whittingham in June of 2024 and spent his freshman season at Utah. As a freshman he found a role in the Utes offense catching 26 passes for 427 yards and five touchdowns.
Once Whittingham was named Michigan's next head coach last December, Buchanan was one of the many former Utah players who followed him to Ann Arbor.
Michigan fans may have been mostly unfamiliar with Buchanan before Saturday night, but his game as a whole was the only standout performance from any Wolverine receiver. He led Michigan with six receptions for 126 yards and capped the night with the biggest moment of the evening.
Follow Sports Reporter Joe Spears on X at @joe_spears7 or via email: JSpears@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is JJ Buchanan? Meet former 4-star WR turned Michigan's unlikely hero
