In 2016, Andreas Kastellanos completed his junior season with the Dakota Lancers. As a junior, Andreas earned 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery, 27.5 tackles, 3.5 special teams tackles and 3 catches for 96 yards.
Andreas enjoys the competitive nature of the defensive back position, like stealing reps in one-on-ones and battling for a starting spot. “I love going at it with receivers. Whether it’s knocking downs balls or intercepting them, and bumping them around, just getting in their head. If you can make the receiver overthink a little then you’ve already won,” mentioned Andreas. Dakota’s standout also enjoys tackling, Andreas added, “Nothing greater than dropping the shoulder in the backfield, sacks, all that stuff.”
The Lancer’s young defensive back has always been a huge fan of professional football players like Ray Lewis and Brian Dawkins. Andreas admires these two NFL legends because of their leadership abilities, how they conduct themselves on the field, and exemplify themselves as playmakers.
Andreas’ plans school wise are to go into Sciences, and his goal is to get direct entry wherever he ends up going to school. In terms of football, Andreas is going to take all of his options after his grade 12 season into consideration. Andreas explained, “I’m not gonna make any irrational decisions. Obviously, my goal is to play college ball just like many other guys. I wanna play at that next level, and I’m gonna do everything I can to make sure I do.”
At this time Andreas hasn’t seen a lot of recruiting, just a couple of talks with coaches and teams. After just finishing grade 11, Andreas started to send his film out to many school and coaches. Besides sending his highlight film, Andreas has been to many in-city combines, and a couple out of city/country ones as well. “I’ve realized that nothing’s handed to you and if you want to get noticed you gotta work for it,” said Andreas.
Andreas doesn’t have a top three choice right now, but he mentioned that staying in Manitoba would be nice because the Bisons are a great team and organization. Andreas commented, “At the end of the day, an opportunity to play anywhere would be nice”.
If Andreas was to make it to the next level, he is very confident that he’ll be able to adjust through proper training, and proper management of skill/weight gain. “I feel I’ll be able to make the jump. I know I can,” responded Andreas.
In order to increase his production on the field next season, Andreas has been in the weight room 3-4 times a week, and has also been on the field 3-4 times a week. Every day during this off season Andreas has been working towards bettering himself as a football player. Andreas mentioned, “This is the most important off season of my life, and I am looking forward to getting myself prepared.”
Andreas parents have been nothing but supportive throughout his entire life, especially when it comes to his athletics and academics. “I owe them everything,” said Andreas. “From coming out to all my practices and games growing up and from giving me endless amount of rides. From congratulating me when I’m up to supporting me when I’m low, they’ve been with me through thick and thin and I can’t thank them enough.”
The coaches at Recruit Ready, ex NFL and CFL player Lamar McGriggs, and speed trainer Darwin Thompson have all greatly shaped the athlete that Andreas is today, and he has benefited from all of them immensely.
Football is Andreas’ greatest passion in the world. Andreas thinks about football every day, and he wants to play it as long as he possibly can. ”I want to play it as long as I possibly can. I really enjoy the physically and mentally continuity it requires, just having to always better yourself and be better, to always having to compete. It’s my life,” said Andreas.
After his seven years of being on a football team, Andreas has learnt how to be committed, hardworking, and how to be adaptable. Through playing football, Andreas learned how to be a team player, and how to set goals. Andreas responded, “It’s greatly shaped my personality, and has made me a better person because of that.”
Andreas is a multi-sport athlete. Andreas also enjoys participating in hockey, basketball, track, and water polo.
Andreas Kastellanos
Defensive Back
5’11, 160 lbs
Teams: St. Vital Mustangs (MMFA), Dakota Lancers (WHSFL), Under 16 Team Manitoba
Commitment: none
Official Visits: none
Considerations: open
Class: 2018
Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.
