Franklin Regional grad Summers staying with Villanova football team

Hold the phone, Villanova. Todd Summers is staying.

Summers, a tight end who played at Franklin Regional, has decided to finish his college career at Villanova.

He had planned to attend Duquesne and play one last season, but Villanova offered him a full scholarship to cover his time in the school’s master’s of business administration program.

He will take advantage of the NCAA’s granting of a fifth year of eligibility to those who missed a season because of the pandemic.

The grad student will be able to play in the spring and fall.

“I never wanted to leave Villanova in the first place. I love it here,” Summers said. “I am very comfortable with the coaches and my teammates. I am excited to have the opportunity to play for Villanova again.”

Excited to announce that I will be going back to Villanova University to finish my college football career. @NovaFootball pic.twitter.com/1LgT3vOD4b

— Todd Summers (@Todd_Summers11) January 22, 2021

Summers entered the NCAA transfer portal over the summer. The Colonial Athletic Association opted to move football to the spring because of health and safety concerns over the coronavirus.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound Summers had 34 receptions for 364 yards and six touchdowns last season. He was a preseason fourth-team All-American heading into 2020.

He was selected as a STATS Perform Football Championship Subdivision Preseason All-American third-team selection in the fall for Duquesne.

He has 48 receptions for 571 yards and nine touchdowns in three seasons for Villanova, which received an at-large bid to the NCAA playoffs with Summers in the lineup.

He was scheduled to start practice Jan. 26.

“My biggest goal is to win a championship,” he said. “It is crazy times … I have not worn shoulder pads since our playoff game against Southeastern Louisiana (on Nov. 30, 2019).”