Buffalo native Joe Andreessen’s dreams are set to become reality in Bills preseason opener

Andreessen, a Depew, New York native, is just not new to taking part in in Western New York. The rookie linebacker transferred and performed his graduate season on the College at Buffalo, after 5 seasons at Bryant College in Rhode Island. The linebacker actually made a reputation for himself, taking part in for the Lancaster Excessive Faculty Legends which DC Bobby Babich calls him.

“The Lancaster legend? Yeah. No, it is superior…,” Babich stated. “Actually cool for a man that is in his hometown, he is going to have the ability to run out of that tunnel and actually fulfill a dream that loads of Western New Yorkers most likely have. So I feel it is actually cool. I simply hope Joe stays inside who he’s. And soccer’s soccer. It would not matter what colours you are sporting; it would not matter the place you are at and does all these issues.”

Whereas taking part in at Lancaster Excessive Faculty, Andreessen was a stud as a two-year starter for Coach Eric Rupp. Throughout his time in highschool, he was a key power in serving to his group have back-to-back sectional titles, together with an look within the 2017 state finals.

“I feel he was the kind of participant that, he might do something on the sector, irrespective of the place,” Rupp stated. “That senior yr, he led us to a New York State Championship sport. However his traits have been, he was extraordinarily arduous working, he had a really excessive soccer IQ, and he was simply relentless. Regardless of how massive the sport was, you understand, Joe would at all times carry out to the most effective of his skills and rise to the event for us.”

Andreessen did a little bit little bit of every little thing whereas taking part in for the Lancaster Legends. Throughout his senior yr, he posted 118 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks whereas additionally dashing for 525 yards and scoring 17 touchdowns on offense. He recorded 103 tackles, two interceptions and three touchdowns as a junior.

He additionally was a two-time all-state linebacker, two-time All-Western New York linebacker, and Defensive Participant of the Sport within the sectional championship back-to-back years, whereas additionally wrestling and being a wrestling captain his final three years of highschool and being an honor roll pupil, simply to call a number of of his accomplishments.

“He was at all times pushing himself within the weight room, working very arduous,” Rupp stated. “He was additionally an incredible wrestler. He was a two-time state finisher for wrestling. And I feel his character. He is simply an excellent particular person. He is at all times going to make the fitting choices and do the fitting factor and that may clearly translate onto the soccer area as properly.”