Gridiron Football Top 300: Andrew Rappleyea

Andrew Rappleyea is a class of 2023 tight end out of Milton Academy in Milton, Massachusetts. He is 6’4 1/2 and weighs around 235 pounds. Andrew started off his school career at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie, New York, but transferred to Milton for his junior year season. According to 247 sports, Andrew is a 4 star recruit ranked at 15 for tight ends across the country and the fifth ranked player in the state of Massachusetts. At the tight end position, Andrew has elite route running skills with great speed. He can be a nightmare for defenses as his versatility allows him to do anything with the ball in his hands. He has no problem using big frame to go up and make a play in the air. His athleticism allows him to line up in the slot, wide out, or wingback and be a constant threat to defenses while providing a mismatch factor. Andrew has soft hands and does a great job of finding the boundaries and make incredible sideline catches. His excellent footwork and balance allows him to tight rope down the sideline and using his strength to barrel through defenders to fight for extra yards or force his way into the end zone. His speed allows him to get off the line quick and has incredible acceleration with the ball in his hand. In run-after-catch situations, Andrew’s vision and elusiveness gives him the opportunity to make a big play any time he touches the ball. While watching his highlights, his blocking ability is what jumped off the screen to me. He’s very physical and aggressiveness in both run/passing blocking scenarios. He has great techniques with good hand placement and does a great of staying on his block until the whistle blows. Andrew has a 3.7 gpa and currently committed to Penn State.

  1. When did you start playing football?

I started playing football when I was in the third grade, never looked back.

  1. What is your biggest strength?

 I feel my biggest strength as a player is my route running, along with my ability to dominate in the rungame blocking

  1. Did you have any personal goals for this season?

My personal goals this season were to work on my YAC, I felt last year I made plays but didn’t extend them the way I felt i was capable of doing 

  1. Football aside, who is your biggest role model or someone you might look up to?

My brother, he’s always had a big impact in my life but especially with football, seeing his success making it to wake forest to play ball and to later and get his degree was something I always admired.

  1. Do you play any other sports? 

I was a big basketball player for awhile, now i’m just focusing on football as of this year.

  1. What do you love about the game of football?

The intensity and competitiveness of the game is just unmatched. I’ve loved the game since I first picked up a football and Once I realized that it was what I wanted to pursue it was foot the pedal and since then I’ve just been grinding.

  1. What makes you special and separates yourself from the thousands of other recruits?

I just feel tight end wise, many can catch, many can block, but not many can do both and do them well. I feel I’m one of the few in my class who can.

  1. Describe a time where you might have experienced some type of adversity.

When I transferred high schools, a lot of people had there things to say, I was younger then but at the time I had no exposure, no offers, so I just worked my tail off and I started to receive a lot of attention

  1. Are there any current NFL or college players that you study their film or model your game after?

I try and model my game after players like Brock Bowers, Brenton Strange, Michael Mayer

  1. What have you learned about yourself playing football?

I’m always learning, most big time kids are awfully egotistical and that’s causing their downfall, I’m only just beginning the journey being a senior right now and while I have my confidence I’ve realized remaining humble and just grinding is the way to do it.

  1. What is your favorite football memory?

When I committed to my dream school, Penn state