“Thunder Dan” looks to end his SU career with a bang
It’s time to start preparing for the 2025 Syracuse Orange football season. We’re going through the roster to take a look at each Syracuse player as we get to know a lot of new faces for Year 2 of the Fran Brown Era.
Next up is…
Name: Dan Villari
Position: Tight End
Year: Redshirt Senior
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 241 lbs.
Hometown: Massapequa, New York
High School/Previous College: Plainedge/Michigan
2024 stats: Twelve rushing attempts for 29 yards and a touchdown, six catches for 29 yards.
2025 projections: After a breakout 2023 campaign where ”Thunder Dan” highlighted the ”ThunderCat” offense, Fran Brown’s staff used Villari as more of a blocker last season. With Oronde Gadsden II gone, expect Villari to re-emerge as a top offensive weapon at the tight end position.
How’d he get here?: Initially committed to Michigan as a quarterback in late 2019. Transferred to the Orange in spring 2022 and converted to a tight end.
What’d recruiting sites say?: Three stars across the board.
Winners Get Washed: DEMETER Thunderstorm Shower Gel — Keeping the thunder theme alive with a body wash that advises to ”imagine anything,” perfect for the versatile ”Thunder Dan.”
Social Media Info:
Instagram: @danvillari__
X: @Dan2Villari
Interesting nugget o’interest: Villari (2023) and LeQuint Allen (2022) are the only two Orangemen to record a passing, rushing and receiving touchdown in a season since 1989.
Let’s get a look at ya: Hopefully, we’ll see more of this in 2025: