Underclassman to Watch Recruiting Report: Chase Androff (Lakeville South-2022)
It’s hard for me not to watch Chase Androff Chase Androff 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Lakeville South | 2022 State MN ’s sophomore varsity highlights and see his teammate and 4-star Wisconsin commit Riley Mahlman Riley Mahlman 6'7" |…
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Continue ReadingIt’s hard for me not to watch Chase Androff Chase Androff 6'6" | 230 lbs | TE Lakeville South | 2022 State MN ’s sophomore varsity highlights and see his teammate and 4-star Wisconsin commit Riley Mahlman Riley Mahlman 6'7" | OL Lakeville South | 2021 State MN ’s prep sophomore tape. The two possess remarkably similar traits, and with Mahlman’s sky-high ceiling as a prospect I think there’s more than enough reason to get excited about Androff. When comparing the two prospects sophomore highlights, it’s easy to see that the pair share a relentless blocking ability as a TE in Lakeville South’s Power-T run-heavy offense, a hard-to-find strength for a sophomore, a great frame that hold a lot more weight, and some unique athleticism for a kid of their size that shows up in their pass-catching ability out of the TE position. Although Mahlman had a couple pounds on Androff at this time in their prep careers, I think it’s fair to say that Androff is a more aggressive and tenacious blocker at this point in high school, and has a lot more room for weight on his frame. After helping the Cougars make a playoff run deep that got them into the 6A state semifinals, the 6’6, 220 lb. 2022 TE/DE has a lot more snaps ahead of him for Lakeville South, and although he sits at #14 on the class of 2022 NFN rankings currently, upon updating the list there’s almost a guaranteed chance he’ll find his way into the top-10. After posting over 30 pancake blocks, 8 tackles, 2 sacks, a TFL, and a pass deflection last season at the varsity level, I see just as much potential in Androff as the 95 overall rated 24/7sports.com prospect Mahlman, and I was very excited when he agreed to answer a few questions for NFN regarding his career as a Cougar so far, being so highly regarded as only an underclassman, potential colleges, and more. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy! Sophomore Highlights
Androff with the big stick.NFN: Hello and thank you for your time, Chase. Please begin by telling us a little bit about yourself and where you’re from. When did you begin playing football and what do you love about the game?
Androff: “I have lived in Lakeville since I was 5 years old. I started playing flag football when I was in 1st grade, and started playing tackle football in 3rd grade. Some fun facts about me are that I also played at a higher level in basketball this past season, as well as in football. In 4th-6th grade I was selected to play on a Lakeville traveling football team, where we played in Minnesota, Iowa, and Tennessee. We finished with a record of 27-3 over three years. I enjoy playing football because I love the challenge of the game and the work our team puts in all year long. There’s nothing quite like a Friday night football game with the whole city watching you.”
NFN: How was your freshman season in 2018, as well as South’s. What were some highlights and lowlights? What did you learn from the year and how was your adjustment to high school ball?
Androff: “My 2018 freshman season was a huge learning experience. I started the season playing 9A, and got to dress for the Varsity games. I started to play JV in the third game of the season against Burnsville. The coaches loved having me play, and I was starting both ways and playing special teams. By midseason I got the opportunity to play Tight End rotating in with the starters for the varsity games. I also started to play Varsity special teams at that point too. Some highlights from last year were playing in U.S. Bank against our cross town rival Lakeville North, and turning our season around from 1-5 to going all the way to the state semifinals. This season was the first season for me playing Tight End. Since 3rd grade, I had always played Offensive Line. During the few games I played 9A, I had 7 receptions for over 120 yards.”
NFN: What were expectations like going into the 2019 season? How had you guys built on last year and what kind of things did you personally work on to better your game this past offseason? Also, what do you like about the Lakeville South program?
Androff: “The 2019 season expectations were very high. We finally found our rhythm with the new Power T offense, and had a lot of returning starters. Like other teams, we set our goal at a state championship and we were very determined to get there. Countless hours in the weightroom, on the field practicing, and watching film, helped us to get where we were. The past offseason, I played AAU basketball traveling around the midwest and even down to Florida. Basketball helped me improve my footwork, and kept me well conditioned. On top of that I was still working out multiple days a week. I love the environment of Lakeville South. Every player wants to win and is willing to put in the work. Also, the coaches. The coaches always make sure we have what we need to succeed. Every single coach in our program is willing to help you and make you become a better football player, as long as you’re willing to put in the work.”
Androff.NFN: How was/is it playing with talent like Mahlman, Shabaz, Lattery, Brekke, and Ahrenholz? With their graduation upcoming what do younger leaders like yourself have to do to step up next year and continue this success?
Androff: “Playing with some other talented guys was amazing. Mahlman is a great leader, and would always help me during my freshman season when I was trying to learn the plays; not to mention you can count on him leveling a kid every single play of the game. Having Shabaz was also great. You could always count on him breaking tackles and finding open seams. Lattery was a great leader and captain. I remember one day last year after film, I didn’t have a ride home, and he was the first person to offer me a ride home. Brekke was a fantastic 2-way player, and was always the guy you could count on for a big play. Cade Ahrenholz Cade Ahrenholz DL Lakeville South | 2021 State MN is an amazing athlete, who could probably play any position on the field. Whenever our team needed a big defensive stop, he was there. Now that Brekke, Lattery, and Shabaz have graduated, younger players like me have to lead by example in the weightroom and on the field. Next year’s captains ( Cade Ahrenholz Cade Ahrenholz DL Lakeville South | 2021 State MN , Riley Mahlman Riley Mahlman 6'7" | OL Lakeville South | 2021 State MN , Reid Patterson Reid Patterson QB Lakeville South | 2021 State MN , and Derek Ashland) will definitely be setting the bar high for the upcoming season.”
NFN: How does it feel to be so highly regarded as a sophomore? What do you want to continue to improve upon as a football player? Also, what position do you see yourself playing in the future? What do you want to play?
Androff: “It feels great to be highly recognized as a sophomore. I’m glad that I still have 2 more seasons to improve my game. I really want to work on my strength and my speed. I have proven this past season that I can play at a high level, even without being the strongest guy on the field. My coaches have told me that I have a great football IQ and understanding for the game, which helps me a lot. I see myself continuing to play Tight End and Defensive End in the future, which are 2 positions that I love to play.”
NFN: Tell us about your first eight regular season games in 2019? How’d they go and who’d you play? What were some big and best games for yourself? Was the North game crazy? What were some big moments in that game that made you feel like it was the Cougars year? Also, what happened in that weird Rosemount loss in the regular season?
Androff: “The season started with a tough matchup against Totino Grace. It was a good defensive matchup, in which we won with a 41 yard field goal in the last few seconds of the game. Rosemount was our first home game, our offense seemed to struggle and we couldn’t capitalize off any big plays. We ended up losing by 3. The third game against Burnsville, we found our rhythm. Mahlman and I had numerous pancake blocks. This was the game I had my first varsity reception. Eastview was a rough game for everyone. Our offensive coordinator walked in during our pregame meeting and told us that we wouldn’t have our head coach for that game. Everyone was in shock, but we couldn’t let that distract us from the game we had to play. We ended up winning the game on a last minute touchdown catch by George Brekke George Brekke QB Lakeville South | 2020 State MN from Reid Patterson Reid Patterson QB Lakeville South | 2021 State MN . Our next game was the Homecoming game, vs Prior Lake. They were favored to win the game, but we used that as motivation. We ended up winning 35-17. This was the game in which I had my first varsity sack on a huge third down play. The 6th game of the season was against our cross-town rival Lakeville North. They hadn’t lost a game since 2017, and they were coming off of a state championship season. It was at their stadium, and when we got there and the place was already packed. There were food trucks, countless vendors, even portable stands for even more fans. There wasn’t a single seat open, and the fences were lined with people. I started both ways in the North game, which was a first for me. It was so cool playing with your whole city watching you in person, not to mention it was the MN prep spotlight game of the week, which was being televised. This game our offense experimented putting Cade Ahrenholz Cade Ahrenholz DL Lakeville South | 2021 State MN and me both at Fullback. Their defense knew that Shabaz (the lone running back) was going to get the ball, yet they couldn’t do anything to stop it. We shut down their best player, Raja Nelson Raja Nelson DB Lakeville North | 2020 State MN , which in turn stopped their entire offense. We won that game 34-19. Now onto the Farmington game at home. We go into the locker room after warming up on the field just fine, and look out on the field to see snow coming down everywhere. This game, I drove block a kid 15 yards into an official, which led to a touchdown run on the first drive of the game. Their defense was having a long day, as we finished the game winning 61-6. The final game was against Eagan, they had scored 2 touchdowns in the first 7 games combined. Our starters were pretty much done playing before the 3rd quarter ended. We won 51-14.”
AndroffNFN: Now get into sections and state. I got to see you guys live vs. Mounds View and Wayzata, what were some big moments in those games and how was your performance? How can y’all use that playoff experience to get a better 2020 playoff outcome?
Androff: “Sections and state were a very good time for us. We had the #1 seed in our section, but we didn’t let ourselves overlook our competition. The Mounds View game started slow. We kept it close the first half, and we found our groove in the second half. I had a few pancake blocks that led to big runs, which was great. The Wayzata game was at US Bank stadium. We had some key mistakes against a great team which is never good. We fumbled on the 1 yard line, which led to them getting a touchdown. That’s a 14 point swing right there, which could have tied the game. The end of the game was tough, we were in our spread offense, which had me pass-blocking their best defensive lineman, after we had only practiced pass-blocking maybe a couple times during the season. I still managed him to 0 sacks and 0 tackles during those last few minutes. Our playoff runs these past 2 years has made me very confident about next year. We keep a lot of starters, and a lot of guys with 2+ years of varsity experience. This next year, I think we have a great chance of making it to the state championship as long as everyone does their role and we stay focused on our goal.”
NFN: Although it’s early, let’s talk some recruiting. What are some college teams you’re interested in? Are you hearing from any teams? If so, what are they telling you in regards to your performance and abilities and value as a prospect?
Androff: “I’m very interested in colleges such as Minnesota, Iowa State, Wisconsin, and Northwestern. I have talked to a lot of college recruiters my freshman season, when colleges were coming to look at Riley Mahlman Riley Mahlman 6'7" | OL Lakeville South | 2021 State MN . Our head coach at the time, Tyler Krebs, did a great job of introducing me to them when they came to our school and helping get my name out to colleges. In February the OC and tight ends coach at Iowa State came to watch me at one of my basketball practices. Unfortunately, with COVID-19, I am unable to attend a lot of football camps this spring/summer like I have done the past 2 seasons. I am looking forward to talking to more coaches and hopefully visiting campuses soon.”
Androff.NFN: Finally, what else are you looking for in a college? What do you think you can add to a college program and what do you do well as a football player?
Androff: “I am definitely looking for a school with a great engineering and or business program, because academics are just as important to me as sports. I am somewhat new to the recruiting process, only being a sophomore, but I would love to talk to some schools to see what kind of programs on and off the field. I can bring a great understanding for the game at the tight end position. I’m a natural blocking tight end having played offensive line most of my career, but now have the size and speed to make an impact in the passing game. I can use my long arms and vertical to take advantage of smaller linebackers and D-backs. Also having learned from 3 head coaches and multiple different offenses in the past 4 years alone.”
Stay tuned for more news on Androff and his Cougar teammates in the following months. Chase’s recruitment is just getting started!