Brian Villanueva

Brian Villanueva (born June 2, 1979) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the Arena Football League (AFL) and af2. He played college football at West Hills College Coalinga and Fort Valley State University. At Fort Valley State, he was a two-time All-SIAC selection and was also the team's punter during the 2000 season. Villanueva played in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL) for the Louisiana Rangers, Tri-City Diesel, Evansville BlueCats, and San Angelo Stampede, in the Intense Football League for the Lubbock Lone Stars, in the af2 for the Arkansas Twisters, Corpus Christi Sharks, Green Bay Blizzard, and Iowa Barnstormers, and in the AFL for the Barnstormers. He came out of retirement in 2024 to sign with the Rapid City Marshals of the new Arena Football League.

Early life and college Villanueva grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Villanueva threw for 1,642 yards and 14 touchdowns in 1999, garnering All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) recognition. He completed 165 of 295 passes (55.9%) for 2,055 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 2000, earning All-SIAC honors for the second consecutive season. Villanueva was also Fort Valley State's punter during the 2000 season and midway through the season was leading the conference with a 38.7 yard average. He suffered a season-ending wrist injury in his first game with the Rangers.

Villanueva was signed by the Tri-City Diesel of the NIFL in 2003.

Villanueva signed with the Evansville BlueCats of the NIFL in 2004 and was the backup to Joe Davis. Villanueva finished the 2004 season as a backup with the Lubbock Lone Stars of the Intense Football League.

Villanueva played for the NIFL's San Angelo Stampede in 2005. He also played for the semi-pro McHenry County Gladiators later in 2005. Villanueva was signed by the Evansville BlueCats of United Indoor Football on January 13, 2006.

Villanueva later signed with the Arkansas Twisters of the af2 for the 2006 season. He was the backup to Walter Church in 2006. After Church retired, Villanueva became the team's starter in 2007, passing for 2,632 yards and 56 touchdowns while posting a passer rating of over 100 and leading the Twisters to a 12–4 record. Prior to the 2008 season, the Twisters hired former Spokane Shock head coach Chris Siegfried to be the team's new head coach. Siegfried signed his quarterback from Spokane, Kyle Rowley, to join him in Arkansas. As a result, Siegfried gave Villanueva the option to be cut before training camp so he could have a chance to be a starter for a different af2 team. However, Villanueva declined his release and decided to compete with Rowley for the starting job. Villanueva was waived by the Twisters in early April 2008. He was awarded to the Corpus Christi Sharks. Villanueva made his first start for the Blizzard on July 18, completing seven of 15 passes for 75 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions before being benched in the second half for Collin Drafts. Villanueva was the fifth starting quarterback the Blizzard had used up to that point in 2008.

Villanueva then finished the 2008 af2 season with the Iowa Barnstormers, joining the team before the regular season finale against the Tulsa Talons. He split time with Brannen in the 2009 season opener for the Barnstormers. Villanueva made his first start for the Barnstormers during Week 2 of the 2009 season, completing 24 of 39 passes for 244 yards and seven touchdowns while also rushing for two touchdowns in a 73–68 victory over Tulsa. and averaged 202.6 passing yards per game as Iowa finished the regular season with a 12–4 record. The Barnstormers won their first playoff game against the Manchester Wolves on July 31 by a score of 70–53. Overall in 2010, Villanueva totaled seven completions on 14 passing attempts (50.0%) for 75 yards and three interceptions, two receptions for 25 yards and one touchdown, three rushes for one yard, and one solo tackle. Villanueva rejoined the Barnstormers late in the 2011 season, on July 13, 2011. He completed 13 of 22 passes (59.1%) for 152 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception during the 2011 season while also rushing once for a one-yard touchdown. At 44 years old, he was believed to be the oldest player in the new AFL, edging out Billings Outlaws quarterback Danny Southwick. The Marshals then folded shortly thereafter.

Personal life From 2006 to at least 2013, Villaneuva worked various jobs in the hospitality industry, including at Wynn Las Vegas, Encore Las Vegas, and Bravo! Cucina Italiana. He was also the owner of a small photos and trophies business in West Des Moines, Iowa. He attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for further education and majored in criminal justice.