Recruiting Report: Andres Pettis (2020)

After a solid season playing both ways for the Park Wolfpack, <strong>Andres Pettis</strong> decided to transfer to nearby East Ridge High School to finish off his junior season. Now, entering his senior year, he is ready for a big year with his new team; a big year that could land him with a college football program next season. Although the Wolfpack's season got off to a slow start, the team came together late. "The season went great," Pettis said. "We had a 4-4 regular season and evened things out. It could have been better. We were a solid team, but we didn't click in our first two or three games. That resulted in three losses but after that – once we found our grove – we rolled off three wins in a row and four of the next five games." Changes to the lineup helped turn the season around. "We made some player changes," Pettis said. "We got our starting running back back after our third game and finally had all the missing pieces there." Pettis contributed on both sides of the ball. "I think my junior year was solid. I had fourteen catches, 321 yards, and five touchdowns. Playing both ways helps – being able to read what the defensive back was going to do – considering I play that position. It could have been better, but I had a solid junior year." On offense, Pettis almost always lined up in the same position. "I always played on the outside on the right side of the formation. My strengths are my speed and ball tracking skills. I am not very shifty, but I can still break tackles. He uses his speed on the defensive side of the ball too. "I was typically a strong safety and am pretty fast so I can cover a lot of ground. I am a solid tackler – I get low and wrap up." Right after the football season, Pettis – who also enjoys drawing and cooking - transferred to East Ridge. In the spring, he re-joined track. "This was my first year in track since 8th grade, so I didn't do much. I ran the 100, 200 and the 4X100. I wanted to work on my running mechanics, and I think I got a big speed boost from track - learning how to run properly." In addition to improving his speed, Pettis needed to improve his agility – in part because of an expected position change. "I have been working on my side to side agility. When I transferred to East Ridge – I was the shortest receiver - so they are moving me into the slot. So, I need to work on ball carrier moves to get past that first tackle." Pettis expects to start both ways again as a senior. "I think I will be playing both ways again this year. I am expecting to be playing strong safety, but the coaches have talked to me about playing corner in certain situations. In a few formations, I will be playing in the box as a linebacker/safety hybrid." Pettis' offseason program has focused on more than just getting bigger, faster, and stronger. "I have been trying to build chemistry with my teammates during our workout program," the 6'0" 175- pound athlete said. "Some days, we do bench, clean, and squat, but we also work on flexibility. We do yoga and talk a lot about recovery. We focus on getting bigger, faster, and stronger while remaining mobile and flexible." Although he has not been to many camps, he made them count. "I have been to the Minnesota Mega Camp," Pettis told northstarfootballnews.com. "I think I put on a pretty good show and picked up my first offer from Minnesota-Crookston. Hopefully, that gets the ball rolling. I have had a few good looks from the local DIIs and the Dakotas. Minnesota-Moorhead, Jamestown, and Minnesota State-Mankato have been in touch with me." For now, Pettis has gotten the impression college programs are looking at him on one side of the ball. "I feel like they are recruiting me as a slot receiver. The coaches like my ball skills, my speed, and my big-play ability." This fall, East Ridge football followers will not only like the big-play ability of the senior, but also the solid defensive play of Pettis.