Ahmad Buchanan has spent his entire high school career trying to stop what he’s set to become for Richards.
The senior safety, a three-year starter in the secondary for the Bulldogs, is looking to expand his versatility this season by adding running back to his profile. And taking on a lead role at that.
“From the defensive side, I’m supposed to read plays, see the ball, make tackles,” he said. “Now, when I go on offense, I already know what the safeties, linebackers and everybody else are doing.
“I just have to follow the rest.”
As a junior last season, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Buchanan finished with 74 tackles and four interceptions in leading Richards (11-2) to the Class 6A state semifinals.
He returns as the face of a team that brings back 14 starters. And he’s ready to make even more moves for the Bulldogs, who come in at No. 10 in the Daily Southtown preseason rankings.
Known as AJ to his teammates and friends, Buchanan already has Division I offers from Bowling Green, Akron and Lindenwood. And that’s not all.
“He’s just a real competitor,” Richards coach Tony Sheehan said of Buchanan. “He’s a gamer. He works really hard in the weight room.
“We just really thought with his size and his burst, if we got the ball into his hands, he’d be a really good running back.”
Jaiden Henry, also a senior, is the inverse of Buchanan. Henry is a returning starter at wide receiver who will join Buchanan in the defensive backfield.
The two have a great rapport on the field from their close connection off of it.
“The dynamic is about bringing the intensity from all the practices,” Henry said. “He’s a great ballhawk with his size. He reads the pass game really well. Offensively, he’ll be great.
“We’ve been together a long time and spent a lot of time this summer in 7-on-7s.”
Making the jump to running back is just the latest salvo in the evolution of Buchanan’s game.
No matter the circumstances, change has been constant.
“When I first started in Pop Warner, I was on the offensive and defensive lines,” Buchanan said. “I got bigger, faster and older and I just found my true position on the field.
“Last year, I typically guarded the other team’s best receiver. I know all about offense.”
His background foreshadows working with his hands. Buchanan shares the same first name with his father. Their connection has deeper resonance as well.
“My dad works construction, so I’ve gotten used to working with him, working with my hands on some of the jobs,” he said. “I’m definitely into building stuff with my hands — like walls, anything where you are putting things together.”
The mathematical possibilities of Buchanan on offense were simply too great to pass up.
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“We expect him to be the guy, step up and make plays,” Sheehan said. “We have some guys who can spell him in the backfield. We want him to be the guy who goes 120 plays.”
Although Buchanan is only about five pounds heavier than a year ago, his body is more cut, with lower body fat. He also has improved his speed and quickness.
The week before the start of official practice, he spent early mornings running the incline of the hill adjacent to the football stadium.
The college offers have been nice, offering an incentive to show all sides to his game.
“I have some personal goals,” Buchanan said. “I want to get at least 80 tackles and four interceptions. On the offensive side, I want to get 13 touchdowns and 1,000 yards rushing.”
Positions can be malleable, but Buchanan has always been a playmaker and leader. Tasked with replacing North Dakota State-bound running back Myles Mitchell, he’s ready for the next step.
Bring it on.
“I’m a fast, big and versatile, so I feel like with my size, I can definitely be that guy,” Buchanan said. “We have a great Week 1 opponent with Crete-Monee, so everybody’s excited.
“I’ve been at this school my whole life. I’m ready to bring home a state championship.”
Quick hits
Team: Richards.
2024 record: 11-2.
Offensive leaders: Noah Escobedo, senior, quarterback; Jaiden Henry, senior, wide receiver; Kamani Sapara, senior, wide receiver; Josh Valenzuela, junior, offensive lineman.
Defensive leaders: Ahmad Buchanan, senior, safety; Johnny Lipscomb, senior, defensive lineman/linebacker; Nathan Cole, senior, defensive line/linebacker; Emmanuel Mahonie, senior, defensive back.
X-factor: Sincere Harris, junior, defensive lineman.
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.